Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 1/25/19

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today published a final rule rolling back an Obama administration rule that required large employers to file detailed injury data online.

Citing concerns for worker privacy, OSHA’s new rule rescinds the requirement for companies with 250 or more employees to electronically submit information from OSHA Forms 300 and 301. 

Companies of that size will still have to maintain those records on-site, and OSHA will continue to obtain them as needed through inspections and enforcement actions. In addition to reporting required after severe injuries, establishments will continue to submit information from their Form 300A.

OSHA also is amending the recordkeeping regulation to require covered employers to submit their Employer Identification Number (EIN) electronically along with their injury and illness data submission, which will facilitate use of the data and may help reduce duplicative employer reporting.

Nothing in the final rule revokes an employer's obligation to maintain OSHA Forms 300 and 301 for the agency's inspection. 

“These actions together will allow OSHA to improve enforcement targeting and compliance assistance, decrease burden on employers, and protect worker privacy and safety,” the agency said in its Federal Register notice.

The new rule takes effect Feb. 25.

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