Why you need to get OSHA Injury/Illness Recordkeeping & Reporting Right

Accurate OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting have become more crucial than ever before. OSHA is currently increasing staffing, inspections, and enforcement efforts, particularly regarding injury and illness recordkeeping. OSHA is also on the verge of expanding the data employers are required to submit annually. Employers must understand the nuances of OSHA's recordkeeping and reporting requirements to make informed decisions and ultimately maintain complete business compliance.

OSHA's injury and illness recordkeeping program were intended to be a "no fault" system, but in practice, recordkeeping data is used by OSHA to justify enforcement actions and target specific employers or industries. OSHA publicizes recordkeeping data to “shame” employers and utilizes it to allocate enforcement resources. Therefore, employers must carefully evaluate each potential recordable injury or illness to avoid both over-recording cases and facing enforcement risks for under-recording.

The following summarizes the top 10 reasons why employers must prioritize accurate OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting:

1. OSHA's Electronic Recordkeeping is expanding significantly, placing internal data in OSHA's hands and on their public website.
2. Injury data determines eligibility for OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Enforcement Program.
3. Recordkeeping violations carry a higher risk of Repeat citations with increased penalties.
4. OSHA has successfully cited injury and illness recordkeeping violations on a "per instance" basis.
5. Recordkeeping data affects workers' compensation rates.
6. The data impacts eligibility for Voluntary Protection Programs.
7. High injury rates within an industry may lead to emphasis programs or targeted rulemaking.
8. OSHA utilizes AI to identify non-compliance with the E-Recordkeeping Rule.
9. Injuries recorded on 300 Logs provide OSHA with enforcement leads during inspections.
10. To avoid negative consequences and maintain compliance, employers must ensure accurate recordkeeping and reporting practices. Familiarity with OSHA's requirements is essential, considering the upcoming expansion of the Electronic Recordkeeping Rule and the agency's increased enforcement efforts. By prioritizing accuracy in recordkeeping, employers can mitigate risks and maintain a strong safety record.

To learn more about OSHA’s policies on Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting and how to do this both timely and correctly, reach out to an agent at Diversified, or visit: https://oshadefensereport.com/2023/06/16/10-reasons-it-is-critical-to-get-osha-injury-and-illness-recordkeeping-and-reporting-right-and-how-to-ensure-you-do/#more-7311, for more information.

DII is your partner in business compliance and reporting. Our team of experts can work with you to understand why reporting employee injury and illness is so important and how to do it correctly. Please contact your DII representative for more information. #OSHA #Reporting