Do you feel like your OSHA Log is a pain? (administratively and figuratively)
It might be, but it can serve a higher purpose for your business. It can very well help your business run more safely as well as boost employee morale. Before we get there, let’s examine the basic rules on OSHA logs.
What is the OSHA 300A log?
The OSHA 300A log is a summary of work-related injuries and illnesses from the previous calendar year. It summarizes injuries and illnesses by categories: number of cases, number of days as well as injury and illness types. It includes such information as, were there any deaths, how many days did employees miss from work and were any employees transferred to other jobs or put on work restrictions.
Who must comply with posting the OSHA 300 log?
Generally, most employers with more than 10 employees at any point the previous calendar year must maintain recordkeeping forms and post the OSHA 300A log. All full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees count toward the total number for the calendar year. A small employer exemption exists for those employers that had 10 or fewer employees at all times in the previous year. Certain industries are also exempt from most of the record keeping and posting requirements regardless of size, although still required to report fatalities and/or the hospitalization of three or more employees to OSHA.
What are the basic requirements of posting OSHA 300A log?
At the end of each year you must review the OSHA 300 form and verify that everything is accurate and complete. Create an annual summary on the OSHA 300A form and certify the summary by a Company executive. OSHA defines a Company executive as an owner, an officer, the highest ranking official working at the establishment or an immediate supervisor of the highest ranking company official working at the establishment. The OSHA 300A log must be posted in a common area frequented by employees and where other notices are typically posted, from February 1st through April 30th. Remember to remove the posting after April 30th and store for the required 5 years.
What if there are no injuries or illnesses to summarize?
This is something to celebrate! If there are no injuries or illnesses to summarize you must still post the OSHA 300A log. Simply mark “0” in the summary areas.
How can the OSHA log serve a higher purpose for your business?
It can be used as a tool in helping your employees understand your commitment to their safety and health on the job. Recordkeeping should be a critical part of your health and safety plan. It helps you track problem areas and prevent injuries and illnesses in the future by identifying and correcting hazards as soon as possible. Discuss the summary with your employees. It is a reason to celebrate if you don’t have any injuries or illnesses or if your number of injuries and illnesses went down from last year. If the log indicates an increase in incidences, it can still be used to improve safety and employee morale. You can use it to engage your employees in a safety brainstorming meeting. Enlist their help to discover why and how to prevent them in the future. Be prepared to really listen to what they propose. The more you know about when, where and how often, the better you can fix the problem. If you choose not to act on their suggestions let them know why so they don’t feel that their input isn’t important or relevant. You can also use the OSHA log as the basis for an incentive program. Make lowering your incidences a challenge to all employees and reward them the following year for a 25% reduction or better yet a 50% reduction! By soliciting their assistance and incentivizing them you make them an integral part of the solution. Employees will feel like they are making a difference in their work environment and you should see a happier, safer and healthier workforce.