OSHA update: New Reporting Requirements Started January 1, 2015

Beginning January 1, 2015, there was a change to what covered employers are required to report to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). Employers will now be required to report within 24 hours: (1) all in-patient hospitalizations (even for just one employee, as opposed to the current 3-employee hospitalization rule); (2) amputations, and (iii) losses of an eye. The 24 hour notice begins when the employer first learned of the work related incident.

In-patient hospitalization is defined as “formal admission to the impatient service of a hospital or clinic for care or treatment.”  Employers do not have to report an inpatient hospitalization if it was for diagnostic testing or observation only. Additionally, employers do not have to report the events listed above if the event resulted from a motor vehicle accident on a public street or highway. Employers must only report the event if it occurred in a construction work zone.  Read more about the new changes and reporting requirements here.