OSHA recordkeeping can be time-consuming, but correctly documenting OSHA-recordable injuries and illnesses is not optional. As of October 1, OSHA has started a NEP targeting the accuracy of injury and illness data recorded by employers.

 

OSHA lists a number of reasons for the NEP, starting with studies that found under-recording of workplace injuries and illnesses on OSHA Form 300. OSHA's stepped up efforts to identify and correct under-recorded and incorrectly recorded cases are also designed to complement related work being done by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In addition to the NEP, OSHA is also expanding training of compliance staff to help them better identify and correct recordkeeping violations.  Accurate and honest recordkeeping is vitally important to workers' health and safety," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "This information is not only used by OSHA to determine which workplaces to inspect, but it is an important tool employers and workers can use to identify health and safety problems in their workplaces."

The inspections include a records review, employee interviews, and a limited safety and health inspection of the workplace. The NEP will focus on selected industries with high injury and illness rates.

 

Improper incident recording or failure to record are rarely a matter of intentional neglect (to keep insurance rates down, for example). More often, problems stem from a lack of understanding on the employer's part, or due to poor clerical systems. The threat of increased OSHA inspections is certainly one incentive to look at how you can improve your recordkeeping.  Accurate recordkeeping and reporting are fundamental to risk management, building a strong safety culture, and ensuring transparency and accountability throughout your organization.  Accurate data drives better decisions, improving workplace safety, health, efficiency and profitability.

 

In short, proper recordkeeping delivers a good return on investment.  This should be a high priority even without the threat of OSHA inspections. If you're still employing paper copies and a weekly note on your computer screen to update your lost and restricted day totals, it's time to reevaluate your methods. Using Excel spreadsheets? That's a step in the right direction, but are you tying your data directly to your accident investigation reports and your first-report-of-injury information?

 

FirstRecords solutions allow you to integrate your OSHA 300 log with you first-report-of-injury form and incident/accident investigation reports — and much more. Give us a call or visit our website to find out how we can help you with OSHA compliance and all your workplace safety and health challenges.