Recording and reporting workplace injuries and illnesses is a critical component of OSHA compliance. Failure to do so can leave you facing major consequences.
On December 16 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor revealed that OSHA cited one of the world’s biggest online retailers, for failure to do just that.
These citations followed inspections at six warehouse locations, in New York City, Albany, Denver, Boise, Chicago, and Orlando.
OSHA issued citations against the company for 14 record keeping violations, including:
- Failure to record & report workplace injuries and illnesses
- Wrong classification of injuries and illnesses
- Not recording or reporting workplace injuries and illnesses within the stipulated time
- Not providing OSHA with timely injury and illness records.
The online giant now faces $29,000 in proposed fines.
While the size of the fine might seem small for a company of this size, it nonetheless contributes to poor publicity and negative exposure. Additionally, it’s sure to draw more attention from OSHA moving forward, likely increasing the chances of future visits & more thorough inspections.
Related Article: OSHA Citations: How to Respond as an Employer
What Happened?
OSHA initiated these inspections between July and August 2022, based on referrals received from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
While OSHA’s investigations at the six locations are still ongoing, the agency issued the record keeping citations now.
So, why now? Well, according to federal law, citations must be issued within six months of inspection or investigation.
The online retailer now has 15 business days from receipt of the citation and proposed fines to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Protecting Your Workers Against Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
Personal protective equipment, also known as “PPE”, is any equipment worn to minimize exposure to elements that could cause workplace injuries and illnesses.
These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazardous substances. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.
Personal protective equipment use in the workplace is of utmost importance, to both workers and leadership at work. Compliance with the OSHA Personal Protection Standard could prevent hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually, and keep your company free of expensive OSHA fines and lawsuits.
Related Article: OSHA 300A Reporting: Tips for Correctly Classifying an Incident
Record Keeping and Reporting Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
Employers with more than 10 workers are required to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses (although certain low-risk industries are exempted.)
For instance, you don’t need to record minor injuries requiring only first aid.
This information is designed to help employers, workers, and OSHA evaluate the safety of a workplace, understand industry hazards, implement worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards; ultimately, with the goal of preventing future workplace injuries and illnesses.
On March 30 2022, OSHA published a proposed rule, designed to “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses”, that would require the following:
- Establishments with 20 or more workers, in certain high-hazard industries, would continue to electronically submit Form 300A Annual Summary information once a year to OSHA.
- Establishments with 100 or more workers in the highest-hazard industries to submit Form 300 Log and Form 301 Incident Report information once a year to OSHA. These establishments would continue to be required to electronically submit information from their Form 300A Annual Summary.
- Establishments with 250 or more employees, not in designated high-hazard industries, would no longer be required to electronically submit recordkeeping information to OSHA. (Read more, here.)
*** 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.
