On September 11, 2014, U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a final rule revision to the Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements. These revisions to 29 CFR 1904 are effective on January 1, 2015 and focus on two key requirements:
- Severe work-related injury and fatality reporting to OSHA.
- Industries partially exempt from routine recordkeeping requirements.
Today’s blog looks at what is new with severe work-related injury and fatality reporting to OSHA (this is what we think needs the most clarification!). Our next blog will cover the industries that are partially exempt from recordkeeping.
Which work-related fatalities and serious injuries?
When do employers need to contact U.S. OSHA?
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OSHA Recordkeeping Rule – Reporting Fatalities and Severe Injuries |
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Previous Rule |
2015 Rule |
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Work-Related Incident |
Reporting Period1 |
Work-Related Incident |
Reporting Period1 |
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All employee deaths2 |
8 hours |
All employee deaths2 |
8 hours |
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3 or more employees with in-patient hospitalizations3 related to same incident |
24 hours |
Any employee in-patient hospitalizations3 |
24 hours |
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All amputations3 |
24 hours |
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All losses of an eye3 |
24 hours |
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1 Reporting period is from when employer has knowledge of the death, hospitalization or severe injury.
2 Deaths occurring within 30 days of a work-related incident.
3 Hospitalization or severe injury occurring within 24 hours of a work-related incident
What type of amputation is reportable?
OSHA defines an amputation as “the traumatic loss of a limb or other external body part. Amputations include a part, such as a limb or appendage that has been severed, cut off, amputated (either completely or partially); fingertip amputations with or without bone loss; medical amputations resulting from irreparable damage; and amputations of body parts that have since been reattached.”
Where to find more information?
OSHA has a fact sheet about the updates to reporting fatalities and severe injuries.
Want to learn more on the topic?
Bruce Groves, President of Emilcott will be presenting Understanding Your Responsibilities under OSHA as a Small Business Owner for the NJSBC of Northwest Jersey.
Register now!
Friday, October 24, 2014 10:00am-12:00pm
Centenary College Learning Center
300 Littleton Road, 3rd Floor, Classroom 5
Parsippany, NJ 07054
908-269-8475
Many small businesses do not have the resources for a full-time Health and Safety Staff, yet they still need to meet regulatory compliance and keep their employees safe.
This presentation is directed at smaller businesses struggling to navigate (or avoiding!) worker health and safety programs as required by OSHA. In addition, learn the benefits of implementing proactive worker safety programs including reductions in insurance rates and loss work time—as well as the actual benefits to your bottom line!
This workshop will walk participants through an actual OSHA inspection, address misguided information about OSHA and safety programs in general, and give you the basic understanding of what an employer’s responsibilities are.
It is presented by a former OSHA Compliance Officer and H&S professional with over 30 years’ experience helping companies—large and small—manage worker safety