Changes To OSHA Electronic Reporting Requirements And Maximum Penalties

On January 24, 2019, OSHA issued a Final Rule eliminating the requirement for businesses with 250 or more employees to electronically submit information from the OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and OSHA Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report). Covered establishments are only required to electronically submit information from the OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). Employers must still keep and maintain OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 for five years. The deadline for electronic submissions for calendar year 2018 is March 2, 2019.

OSHA has also adjusted the penalty levels for violations in 2019. The new maximum penalty for a Serious violation will be $13,260 per violation. The maximum penalty for a Failure to Abate violation will be $13,260 per day beyond the abatement date. The maximum penalty for a Willful or Repeated violation has increased to $132,598 per violation.