On July 17 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor introduced a groundbreaking final rule, slated to be enforced starting January 1, 2024. This rule mandates designated high-hazard industry employers to electronically submit vital injury and illness records to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Employers who adhere to the new requirements will help OSHA to better understand workplace safety and health trends and to target its enforcement resources more effectively. Ultimately, this should lead to improved workplace safety and health for all employees.
Let’s delve into the specifics of this transformative regulation, the changes brought about by the new rule, and how your business could be affected.
Related Article: OSHA 300A Reporting: Tips for Correctly Classifying an Incident
Submission Requirements for Injury and Illness Records for Employers in High-Hazard Industries
With the final rule set to take effect on January 1, 2024, it now includes the following submission requirements:
Electronic Submission Mandate for High-Hazard Industries
Establishments with 100 or more employees operating in specified high-hazard industries are now obliged to make annual electronic submissions to OSHA, including information from the Form 300-Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, as well as the Form 301-Injury and Illness Incident Report.
This is in addition to the the existing requirements for submitting Form 300A-Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.
Further, in an effort to enhance data accuracy, establishments must now provide their legal company name when making these electronic submissions to OSHA.
This measure reinforces the integrity of the information derived from their injury and illness records.
Related Article: OSHA Releases 2022 Workplace Injury and Illness Data
- See Detailed Guidance for OSHA’s Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Rule
- See OSHA’s Reporting Regulations (Standards – 29 CFR)
OSHA’s Transparency Initiative
In an effort to remain as transparent as possible, OSHA is set to publish a portion of the data collected on its website.
This move aims to empower a spectrum of stakeholders, including employers, employees, potential hires, employee representatives, current and potential clients, as well as researchers and the general public.
Hopefully, access to a company’s work-place safety and health record will facilitate informed decision-making. Ultimately, this transparency is expected to lead to a reduction in occupational injuries and illnesses.
Create an Injury Tracking Application Account for your worksite HERE
Fulfilling Congress’s Vision
Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Doug Parker, shed light on the broader vision behind this rule.
“Congress intended for the Occupational Safety and Health Act to include reporting procedures that would provide the agency and the public with an understanding of the safety and health problems workers face, and this rule is a big step in finally realizing that objective,” he stated.
He emphasized OSHA’s intent to leverage this data for targeted interventions, and for employing strategic outreach and enforcement to curtail worker injuries and illnesses in high-hazard industries.
This initiative promises not only industry-level insights but also equips workers and employers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about workplace safety and health.
Upholding Prior Requirements
The final rule maintains the existing requisites for electronic submission of information from Form 300A. This pertains to establishments with 20-249 employees in specific high-hazard industries, and those with 250 or more employees in industries mandating routine OSHA injury and illness records.
This most recent announcement builds upon the proposed amendments introduced back in March 2022.
These amendments targeted specific establishments in high-hazard industries, compelling them to electronically submit data from their Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, along with the Injury and Illness Incident Report.
- See OSHA’s Final Rule to Improve Tracking
Bringing It Together
The new reporting rule marks a pivotal stride towards fortifying occupational safety. By harnessing the power of electronic data submission, OSHA endeavors to create a safer work environment for all.
The transparency initiative, championed by Assistant Secretary Doug Parker, promises a future where informed decisions drive a culture of safety and well-being in the workplace.
As with anything else that involves government, there will be support and opposition. No matter where you stand on the electronic recordkeeping standard, it’s still a good idea to maintain accurate, detailed health and safety records.
The standard has already changed multiple times… you never know when another change may occur.
Your occupational health company should both provide you with data and keep a secure database of your team’s medical testing records. At Worksite Medical, after all of your team’s medical testing is completed, their records will be maintained in accordance to HIPAA standards, and access will be granted in the same manner.
About Worksite Medical
In most cases, OSHA requires medical surveillance testing, and at no cost to employees.
Worksite Medical makes that program easier with mobile medical testing.
We conduct on-site respirator fit tests, as well as audiometric exams, pulmonary function tests and heavy metal lab work, right on your job site. We also keep accurate, easy-to-access medical records for your convenience. You’ll keep your employees at work, and stay ahead of OSHA inspections.
