OSHA Changes Incident Reporting Requirements for March 2020 Filings

In 2019, OSHA made changes to lower requirements related to electronic reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA requires employers to maintain three forms, detailing annual work-related illnesses and injuries. The first form, OHSA Form 300, is an annual log of all work-related injuries and illnesses. The second form, OSHA Form 300A, provides a summary of work-related injuries and illnesses for each year. Finally, OSHA Form 301, is used to document specific incidents.

Necessary electronic form submission to OSHA differs depending on workplace size and industry type. Workplaces with 20-249 employees, in certain industries determined by OSHA, have been and continue to be required to submit only their OSHA 300A form. On the other hand, workplaces with 250 or more employees were previously required to electronically submit all three forms to OSHA each year. Due to the requirement changes of 2019, workplaces with 250 or more employees only need to submit their OSHA 300A Forms. All workplaces must continue to submit documentation of incidents resulting in death, hospitalization, amputation, or the loss of an eye. All mandatory reports from 2019 must be filed by March 2, 2020.

Of course, it is recommended that employers seek help from an OHSA specialist if they are unsure of their specific reporting obligations.