OSHA announced a new rule for electronic injury and illness recordkeeping which will take effect starting January 1, 2024. The new rule represents an important shift on OSHA’s part toward more transparent reporting of the safety and compliance of private and public companies. Highlights of this rule include:
OSHA’s new electronic recordkeeping rule will impact nearly all establishments with 100-plus employees. In the past, these establishments just had to submit their OSHA 300A Summary once per year. However, with this new rule, starting January 1, 2024, these establishments will be required to submit additional data from OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and Form 301 (Injuries and Illness Incident Report).
Additionally, OSHA intends to make some of this data accessible to the public on its website. Although OSHA has stated they will use scrubbing technology to remove any personally identifiable information, we recommend companies remove sensitive personal information–such as names, date of birth, individual contact information, etc.–when submitting data to OSHA under the new rule.
According to OSHA, “the benefits of collecting and publishing data for improving safety and health outweigh potential privacy problems.” Those benefits include the ability for OSHA to:
Assistant Secretary of Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker highlights that "Congress intended for the Occupational Safety and Health Act to include reporting procedures that would provide the agency and the public with an understanding of the safety and health problems workers face, and this rule is a big step in finally realizing that objective.”
In conclusion, we will continue to see workplace safety regulations evolve as OSHA moves toward greater transparency and increased protection of employee welfare. While these new rules necessitate some procedural changes, adhering to OSHA regulations can ensure a safe working environment, reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, and foster a strong safety culture.
At Align Technologies (formerly ToolWatch), we are dedicated to supporting construction and other industries affected by these changes. We recognize the significance of OSHA compliance and are committed to providing the necessary tools and information to navigate this evolving landscape. As OSHA leads the way toward a safer future, Align is ready to empower your business to thrive in this new era of workplace safety.