Beginning January 1, 2015, OSHA began requiring covered employers to report work-related fatalities to OSHA within eight hours of learning of the event, and report all work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and losses of an eye to OSHA within 24 hours of learning of the event.
Employers must report these incidents in one of three ways:
- Call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
- Call your nearest OSHA area office, during normal business hours
- Visit the Electronic Reporting Form for Employers Web page
“Making a living shouldn’t have to cost you your life. Workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses are preventable. Safe jobs happen because employers make the choice to fulfill their responsibilities and protect their workers.” — Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health
We sometimes forget why we have all these regulations, and Dr. Michaels does a great job of reminding us. Although paperwork and reporting is an inconvenience, the requirements are designed to help keep us all accountable and pursuing safety for our employees.
