OSHA 301: Everything You Need to Know

OSHA Form 301 is an Injury and Illness Incident Report that is one of the first documents that must be completed in the event of a workplace injury or illness. It is one aspect of the OSH Act of 1970, which was passed to create higher standards for workplace health and safety. It is most commonly known as OSHA’s Recordkeeping Standard.

In 2001, OSHA simplified the rules for reports and forms to result in higher accountability. The following forms are the three main forms most employers must deal with: Form 301, 300, and 300A.

A tricky aspect of compliance with the Recordkeeping Standards is understanding which injuries and illnesses can and should be documented. This is one area where a good electronic OSHA Recordkeeping system provides great benefit.

OSHA has currently been moving beyond injury and illness documentation and going proactively at facing hazards. Electronic filing of injury and illness recordkeeping data is of interest and could result in updated requirements.

Facts About OSHA Form 301

OSHA Form 301 is used by employers to create a detailed record of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Employers must save the annual summary of all reports filed. Employers must also save the OSHA 301 Incident Report forms for 5 years after the end of the calendar year that the records cover.

In some cases, OSHA will consider completed forms for state workers’ compensation, insurance, or other reports “equivalent” to Form 301.

OSHA instructions for filling out the form can be found here.

Employers with 10 employees or fewer are exempted from this rule. Additionally, while the three forms are required, other forms might be accepted if they cover the information required in OSHA forms. These forms include workers’ compensation and insurance provider forms.

Injury reports include private medical details of employees; therefore, these forms are private and confidential.

Filling Out the OSHA Form 301 – Injury and Illness Incident Report

Form 301 tends to be quite clear-cut. Information including name, address, doctor information, and any injuries or illnesses is required. Line item 10, however, asks for more complicated information, such as what the employee was doing prior to the incident and what harmed him or her.

The information may be reviewed by a future OSHA investigator, and it can also be used to help employers identify how to amend their safety programs.

An employer has to report the death or in-patient hospitalization of employees as a result of workplace incidents within 8 hours and 24 hours, respectively.

Employers must also report hospitalizations, fatalities, amputations, and loss of an eye by phone at 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), electronically at www.osha.gov, or in person at the closest office.

Facts About OSHA Form 300 – Log of Workplace Injury or Illness

Form 300 is a detailed record of any injury or illness that happened in the workplace over the calendar year.

Employers must enter each recordable injury or illness on the OSHA 300 within 7 days from receipt of information that an injury or illness occurred.

The purpose of form 300 is to ascertain compliance with OSHA recording regulations as well as provide employers with a concise narrative of workplace injuries and illnesses that may be an important factor in deciding to amend safety programs.

OSHA requires every employer to fill out a 300A form at the close of each year, whether or not workplace injuries or illnesses occurred.

How To Figure the Total Number of Employee Hours Worked That Year?

To figure out the total number of employee hours worked that year, click here.

Dangers of Non Compliance of OSHA Recordkeeping

Employers and businesses who do not meet the recordkeeping requirement can be fined $10,000 or more per violation.

What Is the Injury and Illness Protection Program?

The Injury and Illness Protection Program urges firms to actively try and reduce occupational hazards. Rather than documenting these injuries after the fact, this program presses companies to implement a system that identifies and fixes hazards before they actually lead to injuries or illnesses.

2015 Changes in OSHA Recordkeeping Standard

In 2015, OSHA changed the rules to include these important changes:

  1. Updated the archive of industries exempted.
  2. Expansion of the index of severe work-related injuries and illnesses that all covered employers are required to report to OSHA.

2016 Changes in OSHA Recordkeeping Standard

The 2016 changes have created a new rule, effective January 1, 2017, which requires that the OSHA 300, 300A, or 301 forms be submitted to OSHA on an annual basis.

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