This may be a recap for you, but we wanted to reiterate the importance of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new reporting requirements that went into effect January 1, 2015. Previously, all employers under the federal jurisdiction of OSHA were required to report all workplace fatalities and when three or more workers were hospitalized in the same incident, but the same employers are now required to report on an expanded list of severe injuries:

1. All work-related fatalities within 8 hours.
2. All work-related inpatient hospitalizations, all amputations, and all losses of an eye within 24 hours.

There will be three options for employers to report. They will be able to call their nearest area office during normal business hours, call the 24-hour OSHA confidential number at 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or report online.

It’s important to remember that these updated reporting requirements are not simply paperwork but have a life-saving purpose: they will help employers and workers prevent future injuries by identifying and eliminating the most serious workplace hazards.

Ensure Your Site is OSHA-Compliant with Pre-Audit Inspections

According to the OSHA Budget Justification, as a result of increased identified health issues, the organization plans to increase the number of health inspections occurring in the 2015 fiscal year. Are you prepared?

Staying in compliance with both current and updated OSHA requirements is important on any jobsite not only for avoiding fines, but more importantly for the health and safety of your workers. With a visit from one of Summit Safety Alliance’s (SSA) many expert EH&S professionals located around the country, you can help ensure that your records, safety programs, and job performances are up-to-date and in compliance, preparing you for an OSHA inspection.

SSA will visit your location to conduct a comprehensive facility and procedural compliance audit to look for any areas of possible noncompliance, work practice violations, safety hazards, and facility inadequacies. Based on your results, SSA can recommend changes to your safety policies and procedures, as well as create a new, custom safety program for your facility, with the option of onsite safety training.