OSHA finalizes new injury and illness reporting requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has finalized new workplace injury and illness recording and reporting requirements for employers. The new rule requires employers to report to OSHA every in-patient hospitalization that occurs within 24 hours of learning of the incident. Currently, employers are only required to report such occurrences when three or more employees are involved. The rule also states that such reports will be made publicly available on OSHA’s website. The new rule takes effect Jan. 1, 2015.