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By Adam Thomas

The OSHA recordkeeping process can provide valuable information to an organization. The information can be leveraged to develop strategic plans to improve the company’s risk profile, reduce workers compensation claim activity, and provide a safer work environment for employees. Although valuable, the regulation itself is very detailed and can often be difficult to determine which incidents should be included on an OSHA 300 log. The following simple tips and resources can help you make that determination and get the most out of your recordkeeping efforts:

Recordkeeping Tips

• Most employers with more than ten employees must comply with the recordkeeping standard and maintain the 300 log and 300A summary. Certain low risk industries are exempt. Learn more here.
• The OSHA 300A Summary Form for the prior year must be posted in a prominent location from February 1 through April 30. Areas commonly used for posting are recommended. Employers with employees that work in the field must make a copy available to those employees.
• Calendar days, not workdays, must be used when counting days away from work and days of job restriction or job transfer.
• OSHA recordkeeping is a complex process which requires specialized training. Make sure the individual making the entries has the requisite knowledge and access to resources to answer questions as they arise. Free training is available on OSHA’s Recordkeeping Website!
• Injuries are only recordable in the year in which they occurred or when they were detected in the case of an illness.
• OSHA logs and summaries must be maintained or available at each location for the previous five years. Electronic copies meet the requirement (The logs may be reviewed during an OSHA inspection).
• Severe injuries require special reporting: Employers must report any worker fatality within eight hours and any amputation, loss of an eye, or hospitalization of a worker within 24 hours. Access OSHA’s Severe Injury Report here.
• OSHA requires certain employers to provide their 300A summary form information to them on an annual basis. Determining if your organization is required to submit and how to complete the processes can be found on OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application website.
• If you need help determining if an injury is recordable, OSHA’s Recordkeeping Advisor is available to help! This free online tool presents several questions which help guide you through the process of making the determination.

About Oswald’s Loss Control Team:

Oswald’s Risk Consulting services are designed to reduce your exposure to liability and loss, while also lessening the frequency and severity of losses. Our dedicated specialists are highly experienced and seasoned professionals who work closely with you to develop and maintain successful safety and risk management loss prevention.

For more information visit our Risk Consulting & Loss Control page or contact me directly:

Adam Thomas, ARM, AINS, CXLT
Senior Loss Control Consultant
216.367.8787
Email

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