OSHA launches new application to track injury and illness data

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the US Department of Labor has announced the launch of a new app that facilitates online submission of injury and illness data by employers.

The Injury Tracking Application (ITA) allows companies to electronically submit data from OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301. The application serves as a tool to maintain records, which could be easily tracked at a later stage. According to OSHA press release, the app will be launched on Aug 1^st and will be accessible from the ITA Webpage. It must be noted that the OSHA had issued a notice last month, extending the deadline for electronically submitting 2016 Form 300A from July 1^st to December 31^st, 2017 so as to provide entities sufficient time to get familiarized with the electronic submission procedures.

According to OSHA, the companies must follow a four-step procedure for online submission of data. The first step involves creation of the establishment. After successful creation, the businesses are required to add 300A summary data and submit it to OSHA. The confirmation mail from OSHA may be referred for any further action, if required. OSHA will provide a secure website, having three separate options for data submission. The user can manually enter the data into a web form. Alternatively, users can upload a CSV file containing the data. The third option allows electronic transmission of data by using an application programming interface (API).

The new reporting system is applicable to all establishments with 250 or more employees. The companies with 250 or more employees are required to submit data from their OSHA Forms 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report) electronically. It also impacts certain establishments with 20-249 employees that operate in selected industries which have historically higher rates of injuries and illnesses. However, these companies are required to submit information from OSHA Form 300A only.

The new reporting system requires covered establishments to submit 2016 information by December 31^st, 2017. The deadline for submission of 2017 information will be July 1^st, 2018. From 2019 onwards, the information needs to be submitted by March 2.

The OSHA decision to publish submitted data on its website for general public has raised opposition from several corners. A lawsuit filed in connection with this states that the new injury and illness reporting system is contrary to law as it compels companies to furnish confidential information for publication in public domain.