OSHA is sending employers a reminder: Post the summary of all job-related injuries and illnesses incurred in 2012. Form 300A must be displayed from Feb. 1-April 30, 2013, in a common area where employee notices typically are posted.
OSHA’s overview of recording work-related injuries and illnesses states: “The Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300) is used to classify work-related injuries and illnesses and to note the extent and severity of each case. When an incident occurs, use the Log to record specific details about what happened and how it happened. The Summary — a separate form (Form 300A) — shows the totals for the year in each category. At the end of the year, post the Summary in a visible location so that your employees are aware of the injuries and illnesses occurring in their workplace.”
The summary must include the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2012 and were logged on OSHA Form 300. To assist in calculating incidence rates, information about the annual average number of employees and total hours worked during the calendar year is also required. If a company recorded no injuries or illnesses in 2012, the employer must enter "zero" on the total line. The form must be signed and certified by a company executive.
Copies of OSHA Forms 300 and 300A are available at http://s.dol.gov/YQ in either Adobe PDF or Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet format. For more information on recordkeeping requirements, visit the OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Web page.
Employers with 10 or fewer employees and employers in certain industries are normally exempt from federal OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and posting requirements. A complete list of exempt industries in the retail, services, finance, insurance and real estate sectors can be found at http://s.dol.gov/YP. The Bureau of Labor Statistics may still select exempted employers to participate in an annual statistical survey.
All employers covered by OSHA need to comply with safety and health standards. All accidents that result in one or more fatalities or in the hospitalization of three or more employees must be reported verbally within eight hours to the nearest OSHA office.