Due to changes in OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements that went into effect Jan. 1, 2015, companies in certain previously exempt industries now have to post an OSHA form in their workplaces.
Covered employers must post OSHA’s Form 300A between Feb. 1 and April 30, 2015. Form 300A summarizes the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during 2014 (calendar year, January through December) and were logged on OSHA’s Form 300. This form must be posted in a place easily accessible to employees, such as a break room.
Employers with 10 or fewer employees and those in specific low-hazard industries are exempt. The low-hazard exempt industries changed this year. Click here for a list of exempt industries. Go here for industries that are now covered which had been previously exempt.
What counts as a recordable injury? Any one of the following makes it mandatory to record the injury for OSHA purposes:
- death
- days away from work
- restricted work or transfer to another job
- medical treatment beyond first aid
- loss of consciousness
- diagnosis of a significant injury or illness by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional, or
- a needlestick or sharps injury involving contamination by another person’s blood or other potentially infectious materials.
What if you’re required to post but you didn’t have any recordable injuries last year? You must still post the form with zeros entered in all the appropriate places.
Visit the agency’s Updates to OSHA’s Recordkeeping Rule webpage for more information on these requirements for employers.
