OSHA's final rule on recordkeeping and reporting effective January 1

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) final rule on recordkeeping and reporting requirements, issued September 11, 2014, takes effect on January 1, 2015. The new requirements mandate reporting amputations, loss of an eye and hospitalizations of one or more employees within 24 hours. Previously, the reporting of amputations, loss of an eye or employee hospitalizations was not required unless three employees were hospitalized as a result of a single incident. The new reports, similar to fatality reports, will be posted on OSHA's website. For more information, visit OSHA’s website.

OSHA is also moving away from the Standard Industrial Classification System to the North American Industry Classification System for considering how hazardous certain industries are. The new regulation also requires previously exempt industries to now maintain OSHA 300 Logs, including automobile dealerships, liquor stores, bakeries and museums. Visit the OSHA website for a list of industries now required to comply with the recordkeeping requirements and for a list of exempted organizations.