As the New Year is now upon us the OSHA requirements of yesteryear will change and new reporting procedures will take effect January 1, 2015.
The final rule has updated those industries that were exempt from the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system as well as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) years 1996 through 1997 and has drawn its new list from the North American Classification System (NAICS).
However, employers with ten or fewer employees and those industries considered low hazard such as: retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate and the service industry, except if the average three-year lost workday case rate for their classified industry was 75% less than the overall three-year average workday for the same classified industry.
These industry exemptions can be found via the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and the OSHA web page at https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014/.
The new reporting requirement has expanded the list of severe work-related injuries that require reporting to OSHA. This reporting is mandatory and stiff fines can be levied if under reporting takes place.
The following changes take effect:
- All work-related fatalities must be reported with 8hrs of occurrence
- All work-related in patient hospitalizations must be reported within 24 hours.
- All work-related amputations and loss of an eye must be reported within 24 hours.
Reporting can be done three ways:
- Call your local OSHA office.
- OSHA 24-hour hotline at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
- Online reporting at OSHA.gov
In conclusion, the importance and comprehensive of application of the final rule to your particular industry can’t be overstated. Failure to comply can result in huge fines and continued OSHA evaluation of your business.