As a roofing industry professional, it is crucial for your firm to stay up-to-date with legislation that affects the operation of your business. This is especially important when related to safety standards put in place by OSHA, as roofing is considered a high-hazard industry.
One rule set to roll out by the end of 2015 is OSHA's Improve Tracking of Workplace Injury and Illness. This new rule will have a major effect on record keeping within the roofing industry, so our NRCA OSHA lawyers have outlined how this new standard will change current regulations.
What is Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses?
How will the new regulation affect current record keeping regulations?
All businesses with 250 or more employees that are currently required to maintain injury and illness records will be required to electronically submit Form 300 and Form 301 to OSHA or an OSHA designee on a quarterly basis, and businesses with 20 or more employees in designated high-hazard industries will be required to electronically submit Form 300A annually. The electronic submission of Form 300A will take the place of OSHA's annual injury and illness survey.
In addition to the new reporting requirements, OSHA's Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses standard will also allow the agency to make injury and illness reports available to the public online. Employee information will be hidden, but individual accident history reports, along with employer information will be made available.
Why is OSHA Updating Reporting Requirements?
According to OSHA, the electronic submission requirements will give the organization timely access to injury and illness reports to better analyze, track, and eliminate workplace hazards. The organization also stated that they believe with logs being made public, employers will be more likely to improve workplace safety and eliminate hazards.
The final rule of the new regulation is set for September 2015. Our NRCA legal experts are keeping a close eye on the developments of this new requirement in order to protect our roofing and construction clients against OSHA violations.
To schedule a consultation with NRCA OSHA attorney from Cotney Construction Law, please call us today at 813.579.3278 or submit our consultation request form.