On Dec. 19, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule amending its recordkeeping regulations. The amendments were adopted to clarify that an employer’s duty to create and maintain work-related injury or illness records is an ongoing obligation. The final rule becomes effective on Jan. 18, 2017.
The clarification explains that an employer remains under an obligation to record a qualifying injury or illness throughout the five-year record storage period, even if the incident was not originally recorded during the first six months after its occurrence.
The final rule does not create any additional or new recordkeeping obligations for employers.
1. OSHA Clarifies Ongoing
Recordkeeping Obligations
OVERVIEW
On Dec. 19, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule amending its
recordkeeping regulations. The amendments were adopted to
clarify that an employer’s duty to create and maintain work-related
injury or illness records is an ongoing obligation. The final rule
becomes effective on Jan. 18, 2017.
The clarification explains that an employer remains under an
obligation to record a qualifying injury or illness throughout the five-
year record storage period, even if the incident was not originally
recorded during the first six months after its occurrence.
The final rule does not create any additional or new recordkeeping
obligations for employers.
ACTION STEPS
Employers should review their workplace injury and illness
recordkeeping procedures and ensure that they allow for
accurate and timely compliance with recordkeeping
requirements.
Employers should audit their injury and illness records to
make sure all qualifying incidents are recorded during the
five-year record storage period.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Employers must create and
maintain workplace injury and
illness records for at least five
years.
• The five-year storage period
begins on Jan. 1 of the year
following the incident.
• OSHA has the authority to issue
citations within six months of the
last date of noncompliance.
IMPORTANT DATES
December 19, 2016
OSHA’s final rule on ongoing
employer recordkeeping obligations
published.
January 18, 2017
The final rule becomes effective.
Provided By:
SterlingRisk