Ready or not, here it comes: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) new recordkeeping rule is in force for 1.4 million employers.
"The new recordkeeping system is easier for employers to understand, better protects employee privacy in sensitive cases and will yield more accurate injury and illness data," said OSHA Administrator John L. Henshaw. "The new OSHA forms are smaller; they fit on legal size paper. We've also clarified and simplified the instructions for filling out the forms."
Last month, OSHA mailed forms to employers likely to be covered by the rule. In addition, new recordkeeping forms, training materials, fact sheets and other assistance are available on OSHA's Web site at www.osha.gov. OSHA hopes the additional material will help make transitioning to the new system easier for employers. Employers can also access the Web version of a satellite training broadcast the agency aired on Dec. 12, 2001 on the Web site, which also includes a section on frequently asked questions as well as a listing of recordkeeping coordinators and local OSHA offices if employers have further questions or need more information.
As employers switch from the old recordkeeping system to the new one, they will need to post their 2001 summary of injuries and illnesses during the month of February. Beginning in 2003, the annual summary will be posted for three months - February, March and April.
edited by Sandy Smith ([email protected])