Employers Must Keep Records of Injuries and Illnesses
Recordkeeping is an important part of an employer's responsibilities. Keeping records allows OSHA to collect survey material, helps OSHA identify high-hazard industries, and informs you, the worker, about the injuries and illnesses in your workplace.
About 1.5 million employers with more than 10 employees must keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses. Workplaces in certain low-hazard industries such as retail, education, finance, insurance, and real estate may be partially exempt from routine recordkeeping requirements.
For more information on updated exemptions see this OSHA Fact Sheet.
To meet OSHA requirements, employers must do the following
- Set up a reporting system.
- Provide copies of logs, upon request.
- Post the annual summary.
- Report within 8 hours any accident resulting in a fatality.
- Report all work-related hospitalizations, amputations, and loss of an eye within 24 hours.
For specific information on exactly which cases must be recorded, you can go to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1904, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-4. Which of the following industries might be partially exempt by OSHA from routine recordkeeping?
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