New OSHA Reporting Requirements Go into Effect January 1

Beginning January 1, 2015, there will be a change to what covered employers are required to report to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Under federal law, all employers, regardless of size or industry type, will be required to report all work-related fatalities within eight hours and all in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and losses of an eye within 24 hours of finding out about the incident.

Previously, employers were required to report all workplace fatalities and when three or more workers were hospitalized in the same incident. The updated reporting requirements will enable employers and workers to prevent future injuries by identifying and eliminating the most serious workplace hazards.

Employers have three options for reporting these incidents to OSHA:

• Call the nearest OSHA office during normal business hours
• Call the 24-hour OSHA hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742)
• Report online at osha.gov/report.html

Image Courtesy of osha.com