The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its reporting rules for businesses in high-hazard industries. The new OSHA high-hazard industry regulations took effect January 1, 2024, with an annual reporting deadline of March 2.
New Rule
The updated regulations require certain employers to submit more comprehensive injury and illness data to OSHA. This requirement is not entirely new. However, the scope and depth of the information now required is more extensive than previous mandates.
Establishments with 100 or more employees in certain “high-hazard” industries must submit detailed reports from their Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report) annually. These submissions are in addition to the already required Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses).
The forms and additional filing information are available here.
OSHA’s Objectives
The rationale behind the enhanced reporting requirement is multifaceted. First, it aims to arm OSHA with the data necessary to identify workplace hazards more effectively and implement strategies to mitigate them. Second, by making some of this data publicly available, OSHA intends to encourage employers to improve workplace safety proactively, knowing that their injury and illness records may be subject to public scrutiny.
Industries in Focus
The rule targets so-called “high-hazard industries”. This broad category includes many aspects of agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and entertainment, among other industries.
Click here for a complete list of affected industries, by NAICS codes.
Again, the changes only affect establishments in the designated businesses with 100 or more employees.
OSHA retained pre-existing rules regarding electronic submission of information from Form 300A from establishments with 20-249 employees in certain high-hazard industries and from establishments with 250 or more employees in industries that must routinely keep OSHA injury and illness records.
Strategic Compliance
For employers subject to this rule, the path to compliance involves several key steps. First, it’s crucial to understand whether your business falls within the scope of the relevant “high-hazard” classification. From there, ensuring that your record-keeping practices are up to the task will be vital. This means not only accurately documenting work-related injuries and illnesses but also being prepared to submit this data in the format and timeframe OSHA requires.
Additionally, employers should view this regulation not just as a compliance challenge but as an opportunity to reassess and strengthen their overall approach to workplace safety. Implementing robust safety protocols and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability can help reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses in the first place.
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