The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. is responsible for the protection of the rights to health and safety of workers organization. Osha develops safety standards to be followed by employers in the U.S. The 1904 standard regulates how accidents, illnesses and injuries should be recorded and reported to OSHA. Information on injuries is done to improve accountability of employers and workers, and to provide information to assist OSHA in developing more effective standards.

OSHA Record

OSHA has strict rules when it comes to injuries that can be registered against those who do not. Registered lesions should be followed in writing, or by using the software of the OSHA log. These injuries can affect the safety record of the company and insurance premiums. Unregistered injury needs not be followed, and not affect the company statistics. According to OSHA, an injury must be recorded if it results in lost work time, decreased performance, loss of consciousness, death, or any other treatment beyond basic first aid.

OSHA Forms

All injuries should begin to register with the appropriate OSHA forms, which can be downloaded for free on the website of the agency. Each individual case must be recorded in the OSHA 301 incident report. This form must be completed within seven days of injury. A summary of all incidents should be tracked in the OSHA 300 log, with a brief description and date specified for each. The events of the year are summarized in the OSHA Form 300-A Annual Summary. Records should be kept for five years and may be subject to request, or in the case of an investigation by OSHA.

OSHA Information Requirements

The OSHA 1904.39 requires that any incident resulting in the death of an employee or the hospitalization of three or more employees will be informed immediately. From the time of the incident, the employer or his representative has eight hours to report it. If the employer is not aware of the accident when it occurs, will have eight hours from the time it is aware of the fact for you to report.

Making OSHA Reports

Employers have two options for reporting multiple deaths or hospitalizations. The incident may be reported by phone or in person at a local branch of OSHA. These offices are located throughout the country, and locations can be found on OSHA’s website. Reports can also be made by phone through the switchboard number of reports (800) 321-OSHA. All reports must be made orally, as recorded messages are not allowed. The fax and email are no legal means of reporting.

Required

For each incident is reported, the employer must provide the company name, and the name and telephone number of the inspector or company safety representative. The time and place of the incident must be reported, and the number of injured employees, along with their names. OSHA will use this information to start an investigation into the incident to determine if safety standards were followed correctly.