OSHA Recordkeeping of Illnesses and Injuries
It’s that time of year again. Time to file OSHA information from the OSHA Form 300, OSHA Form 300A and OSHA Form 301. OSHA Recordkeeping Standard 29 CFR 1904 (OSHA 29 CFR 1904, 2019). So, what is the purpose of this information and the need to file it with OSHA. The purpose of these forms is to record injury and illnesses. This information is then collected and used to direct OSHA programs and to measure its own performance. OSHA Inspectors might use this information during their inspection to help determine or direct where or why employees are being injured. These forms and their information can be used by employers to assist in setting up safety and health programs. This valuable information can be used in determining and elimination of hazards and improving worker safety. For most industries, this information will be filed and kept on paper, but some industries will file electronically.
How does OSHA define a recordable injury or illness?
According to OSHA a Recordable Injury or Illness is as follows: (OSHA Records, 2019)
- Any work-related fatality.
- Any work-related injury or illness that results in loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job.
- Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
- Any work-related diagnosed case of cancer, chronic irreversible diseases, fractured or cracked bones or teeth, and punctured eardrums.
- There are also special recording criteria for work-related cases involving: needlesticks and sharps injuries; medical removal; hearing loss; and tuberculosis.
How does OSHA define first aid?
OSHA defines First Aid as the following: (OSHA Records, 2019)
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- Using a non-prescription medication at nonprescription strength (for medications available in both prescription and non-prescription form, a recommendation by a physician or other licensed health care professional to use a non-prescription medication at prescription strength is considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);
- Administering tetanus immunizations (other immunizations, such as Hepatitis B vaccine or rabies vaccine, are considered medical treatment); Cleaning, flushing or soaking wounds on the surface of the skin
- Using wound coverings such as bandages, Band-Aids™, gauze pads, etc.; or using butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips™ (other wound closing devices such as sutures, staples, etc., are considered medical treatment);
- Using hot or cold therapy;
- Using any non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts, etc. (devices with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);
- Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (e.g., splints, slings, neck collars, back boards, etc.). Drilling of a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure, or draining fluid from a blister;
- Using eye patches;
- Removing foreign bodies from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab;
- Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by irrigation, tweezers, cotton swabs or other simple means;
- Using finger guards;
- Using massages (physical therapy or chiropractic treatment are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes); or
- Drinking fluids for relief of heat stress.
This information helps employers, workers and OSHA evaluate the safety of a workplace, understand industry hazards, and implement worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards preventing future workplace injuries and illnesses.
According to OSHA’s website, here is additional information regarding Maintaining and Posting Records (OSHA Records, 2019) The records must be maintained at the worksite for at least five years. Each February through April, employers must post a summary of the injuries and illnesses recorded the previous year.
Electronic Submission of Records
Depending on your company’s industry, Electronic Submission of Records may be mandatory. Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Building Material and Supplies Dealers, Grocery store, Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores, and Nursing care facilities are just to name a few. For a full list along with the NAICS codes, check out this link ~ Establishments in the following industries with 20 to 249 employees must submit injury and illness summary (Form 300A) data to OSHA electronically (OSHA NAICS Codes, 2019).
From OSHA’s website “The Injury Tracking Application (ITA) is accessible from the ITA launch page, where you can provide the Agency your OSHA Form 300A information (OSHA ITA, 2019). The date by which certain employers are required to submit to OSHA the information from their completed Form 300A is March 2nd of the year after the calendar year covered by the form.” Be sure to check out the who, what, when, how, and the job aids which provides additional how-to documentation.
Report a Fatality of Sever Injury
Remember if you have a worker fatality, amputation, loss of an eye or hospitalization of a worker, the employer must report these within 24-hours of the incident. To report a fatality or sever injury you can call the nearest OSHA office or call the OSHA 24-hour hotline at 1-800-321-6742. Be sure to have the business name, name of the employee(s) affected, location and time of the incident, brief description of the incident, contact person and contact phone number (OSHA Reporting, 2019).
SCS Safety Health & Security Associates LLC works with businesses to help keep their employees safe, lower workers compensation and fleet / auto insurance policy premiums. In addition, they help to get a company safety compliant by conducting job site safety inspections, developing written safety programs, and conducting safety meetings. In addition, they offer OSHA 10 and 30 hr. courses, for the construction industry. In addition, they provide Fall Protection, Confined Space, Forklift, and Silica training. Check out their course offerings. If your employees need CPR/AED, Basic First Aid, and or Bloodborne Pathogen certification, they can handle that too. Check out their monthly CPR/AED and Basic First Aid Classes in the Leesburg and Ashburn VA area.
References:
OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1904, 2019 Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
OSHA Records, 2019. OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements,
Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/
OSHA NICS Codes, 2019. Establishments in the following industries with 20 to 249 employees
must submit injury and illness summary (Form 300A) data to OSHA electronically.
Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/NAICScodesforelectronicsubmission.html
OSHA ITA, 2019. Injury Tracking Application. Retrieved from:
https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/index.html
OSHA Reporting, 2019. Report a Fatality or Severe Injury. Retrieved from: