Most employers are required under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to maintain an ongoing record of occupational injuries and illnesses. Employers must use the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Form 300, the “Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses” to classify work-related injuries and illnesses. The OSHA Form 300 is also used to note the extent and severity of each case.
The federal agency also requires employers to maintain OSHA’s Form 301, which is one of the first forms employers must complete when a recordable work-related injury or illness occurs. Employers must complete the “Injury and Illness Incident Report” or an equivalent form within seven (7) calendar days after receiving information that a recordable work-related injury or illness has occurred.
Finally, employers are required to complete and post Form 300A, the “Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.” Form 300A should include the total number of incidents in each category listed in Form 300 and must be completed even if there were no work-related injuries or illnesses during the year. California employers are required to post Form 300A from February 1 to April 30 in a conspicuous location where notices to employees are customarily posted. After April 30, employers must keep the form on file for five years.
Forms are available on Cal/OSHA’s website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/PubOrder.asp and on the federal OSHA website at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKforms.html.
Note: This article was published in the January 31, 2008 issue of the California eAuthority.