TheOSHA Form 300 is a log of workplace injuries and illnesses required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This log provides employers with a detailed record of any job-related injury or illness that happened during their business operations.
It also serves as an essential tool for companies to identify potential safety issues in the workplace, helping them to implement preventative measures before serious incidents occur.
Businesses that Need to Fill Out OSHA Form 300
Most businesses under federal jurisdiction must record work-related injuries or illnesses using the OSHA form 300. These include all companies with 11 or more employees and those businesses covered by state plans approved by the US Department of Labor (DOL). Employers who fall within these categories must comply with this requirement to maintain compliance with federal regulations.
What Businesses are Exempt From Filling Out OSHA Form 300?
Businesses with 10 or fewer employees at all times during the previous year are exempt from filing this logbook. However, depending on industry standards, they may still need to comply with other recordkeeping requirements under federal law.
When Do Businesses Need to Fill Out OSHA Form 300?
Companies should fill out forms for each work-related accident, illness, death, fatality, or other incident involving their employees. All entries must be completed within seven calendar days from when it was first reported to be included in their yearly summary report known as "OSHA form 300A". If employers fail to correctly submit this report, they may face penalties imposed by DOL's Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHA division).
What Injuries and Illnesses are Recorded in OSHA Form 300?
Any injury or illness that occurs in the workplace and is related to occupational safety must be included on the form. This includes musculoskeletal disorders, skin diseases, respiratory issues, poisonings, and other injuries or illnesses caused by workplace conditions. The precise details vary from one business to another depending on the industry and policies outlined by the OSHA division.
How to Fill Out OSHA Form 300?
Filling out an OSHA form 300 requires several steps:
1. Determine the Location of the Business
The first step when completing an OSHA form 300 is to identify the location of the business. This includes the address, type of industry, number of employees, and name of any contractor or subcontractor that may be involved in a job-related incident.
It’s important to note that OSHA does not recognize the employee’s home as a work establishment when recording injuries or illnesses.
2. Identify the Injuries and Illnesses that Must Be Recorded
The next step is to identify any injuries or illnesses which occurred during operations at this workplace and must be reported on form 300. Employers should ensure they know what specific injuries and illnesses must be recorded to correctly write them without fail when filling out their forms.
Some of the injuries and illnesses that must be recorded include:
Death
Medical treatment that requires more than first aid
Fainting
Days away from work
Job transfer
Work-related cases involving terminal illnesses such as cancer, fractured bones, and a ruptured eardrum.
Other cases that can be recorded in OSHA form 300 include the following:
Needle prick injuries or cuts from sharp and contaminated injuries.
Cases where employees are removed from their job due to medical conditions as stipulated under OSHA health standards.
Tuberculosis after workers is exposed to other infected workers.
When a hearing test reveals that an employee has challenges in one or both ears.
3. Determine Whether the Recorded Injuries and Illnesses are Work-Related
Finally, employers must determine whether each incident was work-related before it can be added to their logbook. Suppose there is some doubt about an injury or illness caused by something related to the job. In that case, further investigation may be required for it to qualify as such under OSH division regulations.
When illnesses and injuries are exempt from being recorded
The time when the injury or ailment occurred. If it happens when an employee is off duty.
If the illness or injury appears when the employee is at work, it’s not work-related. This can be a heart attack due to genetics.
If the injury occurs during a wellness program in which an employee volunteers.
The illness or injury happens as a result of consuming food or beverages.
4. Completer Filling Out the form
Once the above steps have been completed, employers can complete their OSHA form 300 with all the relevant information. This includes filling out the following information:
The year, name of the company, city, and state
Give each event an employer-created case number on the OSHA log. Ensure that each number for a given year is unique.
Input the employee's name, position, injury date, and the precise location where the injury took place.
Give a detailed description of the case, the body part affected, and the object that caused the injury.
Then choose a category where to classify your case.
Then input the number of days the employee was away from work.
Specify whether it was an injury or ailment.
Then total all the columns at the close of the year.
Guarantee your employee's privacy by ensuring that the OSHA form 300 is stored in a secure location.
5. Post the OSHA Form 300A Yearly Summary
Employers must post a summary version, known as form 300A, at least once every year in an easily visible area to employees. This summary should include a total count of any injuries or illnesses reported on form 300 throughout that period. It should also provide other important information, such as when they occurred and whether they were work-related.
6. Submit the Electronic Report to OSHA
In addition to posting their yearly summaries, employers are also required to electronically submit an annual report containing all related forms within six months after the end of the calendar year in which those incidents took place. This electronic submission can be made through DOL's Injury Tracking Application (ITA).
And businesses with less than 20 employees do not need to submit the OSHA form 300 electronically.
7. Retain Your Copy of the Log and Summary
Finally, employers should retain copies of OSHA form 300 and its yearly summary for five years.
