Don’t Forget: New OSHA Reporting Rules Now in Effect

David Michaels, assistant Labor Secretary, has made a new video outlining the new rules for reporting employee injuries that went into effect last Thursday, Jan. 1. You can view the video here:

New OSHA Rules on Reporting Employee Injuries

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has changed the requirement for reporting employee injuries. Employers must now be report all work-related fatalities to OSHA within eight hours after they occur, and all in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye with 24 hours.

Previously to the new rules, employers were only required to report all workplace fatalities and when three or more workers were hospitalized in the same incident.

New Rules Improve Worker Safety

According to OSHA, the new updated reporting requirements have a life saving purpose.

“They will enable employers and workers to prevent future injuries by identifying and eliminating the most serious workplace hazards,” OSHA officials stated during a Twitter conversation held December 11  to outline the new rules.

Three Reporting Methods

Employers have three options for reporting these severe incidents to OSHA:

1. They can call their nearest area OSHA office during normal business hours.

2. They can call the 24-hour OSHA hotline at 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742)

3. They can report incidents online at www.osha.gov/report_online.

More information about the new rules, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on Dr. Michael’s blog .