OSHA's New Recordkeeping Law and How to Simplify Compliance

In a recent OSHA final rule, it was announced that non-exempt employers will be required to electronically submit to OSHA the injury and illness data that they're already required to keep internally. The frequency of this submission depends on the size of the business, but is required at least annually. Under the new rule, all covered establishments with 250 or more employees must electronically submit to OSHA injury and illness information from OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301 on an annual basis. (Temp workers and workers who were only hired for part of the year count toward that 250.) Establishments with 20-249 employees in certain industries must also electronically submit information. The proposed rule had originally included quarterly submission information. However, after considerable push back from the industry on this point, OSHA said in the final rule that "OSHA agrees with commenters who stated that annual reporting would lessen the burden on employers."

This presentation will outline the steps employers can take to ensure compliance with the standard and explore emerging issues as the law cycles through its first enforcement -- including updates on the outcomes of pending challenges to the standard. It will also outline best practices for recording injuries and illnesses, as well as incidents and near-misses, through modern technologies and effective processes.