OSHA clarifies employer obligation to record employee injuries and illnesses

WASHINGTON — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” which amends its recordkeeping regulations to better explain its long-standing position on recordkeeping of work-sustained employee injury and illness, according to a release.

OSHA clarifies that it is a necessity for employers to record each job-related injury or illness and maintain that record for at least five years.

“Accurate records are not simply paperwork but have an important, in fact life-saving purpose,” Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels clarified in the release. “They will enable employers, employees, researchers and the government to identify and eliminate the most serious workplace hazards — ones that have already caused injuries and illnesses to occur.”

The proposed rule, which was published on July 29, is available for public comment by clicking here or visiting www.regulations.gov. Comments must be submitted by September 28.