Last September, OSHA announced its final rules for reporting severe injuries and fatalities. The new rules take effect on January 1, 2015. Are you ready?

Craig Martin, Construction Attorney, Lamson Dugan & Murray, LLP

OSHA

The New Rule Requirements

  • OSHA’s severe injury and fatality reporting requirements apply to all employers covered by OSHA, not just those with 10 or more employees.
  • All employee work-related fatalities must be reported within 8 hours of the death. The previous rule required reporting only when 3 or more employees suffered a work related fatality.
  • Employers must report when an employee is hospitalized, suffers an amputation or loses an eye in a work related injury. These reports must be made within 24 hours of the incident.
  • Reports may be made by telephone to the OSHA Area Office, to the OSHA toll-free number or electronic submission on OSHA’s website.

The new rules will require more immediate reporting, which will also allow for more immediate investigation.  Now is a good time to review your OSHA policies and programs to make sure they are up to date.

Authored by Craig Martin, Lamson Dugan and Murray.