OSHA Issues Final Rule Revising Its Severe Injury Recordkeeping And Reporting Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule that makes two main changes to its injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting rule. In essence, the new rule updates the list of industries that are exempt from routine OSHA recordkeeping requirements, and expands the types of work-related injuries that must be reported to the agency. Under the terms of the new rule, covered employers must now report all work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and loss of an eye within 24 hours. The existing requirement to report all work-related fatalities within eight hours still holds. Moreover, employers with 10 or fewer employees are still exempt from the routine recordkeeping requirements. All employers, however, must comply with the severe injury reporting requirements.