October 2014

By: Anthony J. Caruso, Esq.

Yes-employers are going to soon be under more OSHA requirements.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a revised rule on September 11, 2014 to become effective on January 1, 2015 for workplaces under federal OSHA jurisdiction.

Old rule: Employers required to report only work-related fatalities, in-patient hospitalizations of three or more employees within eight hours.

New rule (effective January 1, 2015): Employers will be required to notify OSHA of work-related fatalities within eight hours, and work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye within 24 hours.

Important changes: Now, employers must report in addition to work-related fatalities, single hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye under the revised law.

What employers are covered under revised rule: All employers covered by OSHA, even those exempt from injury and illness recordkeeping requirements of OSHA, are required to comply with this new revised rule.

How to report to OSHA: OSHA is developing a web portal for electronic reporting, in addition to the phone reporting options.

Employers exempt for recordkeeping for injuries and illness in the workplace: OSHA has increased the number of industries exempt. Check OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014.

If you have any questions or concerns about this topic or any other questions related to OSHA, please call attorney Anthony J. Caruso of Wessels Sherman’s St. Charles, Illinois office at (630) 377-1554 or e-mail him at ancaruso@wesselssherman.com.