Just a friendly reminder to employers that OSHA requires most employers with 10 or more full-time employees to, among other things: a) keep a yearly log (Form 300) of reportable work-related injuries and illnesses; and b) post a summary of work-related injuries and illnesses (Form 300-A) each year.

What kind of injuries or illness should be reported on the Form 300?

The Form 300 is the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses that employers must use to record all new cases of work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses if they involve:

  • death,
  • days away from work,
  • restricted work or transfer to another job,
  • medical treatment beyond first aid,
  • loss of consciousness, or
  • a significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional.

Minor injuries and illnesses that do not fall into one of the categories listed above, do not have to be recorded on the Form 300.  Each recordable injury or illness case must not only be recorded on the Form 300, it must also be reflected in an OSHA Form 301 Incident Report within seven calendar days after the employer receives notice that the injury or illness occurred. Unlike the Form 300 and Form 300-A, the Form 301 Incident Report is a confidential document because it contains personal information of the injured worker.

What must be posted on the Form 300-A each year?

The Form 300-A is the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, which is to be posted in the workplace annually. At the end of each calendar year, the Form 300-A must be completed by combining and summarizing the data from the Form 300 Log and Form 301 Incident Reports.  The Form 300-A must be certified by a company executive as correct and complete and posted in the workplace where notices to workers are usually posted. It must be posted for three months, from February 1 until April 30.

Certain large employers and small employers in high-hazard may also be required to submit the Form 300-A to OSHA. See here.

Employers are encouraged to timely comply with their OSHA Form 300-A posting and reporting requirements in order to avoid potential penalties.