The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) requires covered employers to report certain work-related injuries and illnesses to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor and is responsible for administering the OSH Act.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All employers with more than 10 employees and whose establishments are not classified as a partially exempt industry are covered by the OSH Act.

Employers that are covered by the OSH Act must verbally report these emergencies to OSHA within eight hours using the contact information in the emergency notice below:

• The death of any employee from a work-related incident; and
• The inpatient hospitalization of three or more employees as a result of a work-related incident.

Other workplace injuries and illnesses do not have to be reported to OSHA, but must be recorded pursuant to OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements. Contact Odell Studner  if you have questions about recording other types of injuries or illnesses.

EMERGENCY NOTICE:
If you have an EMERGENCY(for example: to report a fatality or imminent life threatening situation), please contact our toll-free number immediately:
1-800-321-OSHA (6742); TTY 1-877-889-5627
DO NOT SEND EMAIL OR LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE

Required information

Employers must give OSHA the following information for each fatality or multiple hospitalization incident:

• The establishment name;
• The location of the incident;
• The time of the incident;
• The number of fatalities or hospitalized employees;
• The names of any injured employees;
• A contact person and his or her phone number; and
• A brief description of the incident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report every fatality or multiple hospitalization incident resulting from a motor vehicle accident?

No, you do not have to call OSHA to report all of these incidents. If the motor vehicle accident occurs on a public street or highway, and does not occur in a construction work zone, you do not have to report the incident to OSHA. However, these injuries must be recorded on your OSHA injury and illness records, if you are required to keep such records.

Do I have to report a fatality or multiple hospitalization incident that occurs on a commercial or public transportation system?

No, you do not have to call OSHA to report a fatality or multiple hospitalization incident if it involves a commercial airplane, train, subway or bus accident. However, these injuries must be recorded on your OSHA injury and illness records, if you are required to keep such records.

Do I have to report a fatality caused by a heart attack at work?

Yes, your local OSHA Area Office director will decide whether to investigate the incident, depending on the circumstances of the heart attack.

Do I have to report a fatality or hospitalization that occurs long after the incident?

No, you must only report each fatality or multiple hospitalization incident that occurs within 30 days of an incident.

What if I don’t learn about an incident right away?

If you do not learn of a reportable incident at the time it occurs and the incident would otherwise be reportable, you must make the report within eight hours of the time the incident is reported to you or to any of your agents or employees.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration