The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S.
Department of Labor ("OSHA") recently revised its
recordkeeping rule in two significant ways. The first change adds
new categories of severe work-related injuries that must be
reported to OSHA. The second change amends the list of industries
that are exempt from OSHA's routine injury and illness
recordkeeping requirements. The new requirements took effect
January 1, 2015; therefore, employers should familiarize themselves
with the changes to ensure that they are prepared to comply with
the revised rule in this new year.
Fatality and Severe Injury Reporting. For years, OSHA has
required that employers notify the agency of all work-related
fatalities and all work-related hospitalizations of three or more
employees. Single hospitalizations, amputations, and eye losses
previously were not subject to these severe injury reporting
requirements. Beginning January 1, 2015, however, these reporting
requirements
