Delaware Business Insurance Update From CNC Insurance Associates, " OSHA Recordkeeping and Small Business, Yes You are Required to do it"

Many small business owners believe they are not required to keep OSHA logs on their employee injuries and illnesses. This is not the case. Under the OSHA regulations, if an employer has over 10 employee equivalents then they have to keep the logs. This means that each year the employer needs to keep an OSHA 300 log. This form records injuries, illnesses, and loss work days for each incident that occurs during the year. Also the OSHA 300A , which is a summary of the 300 form,  needs to be posted from January to April each year so all can see. In addition the OSHA form 301 needs to be filled out separately for each employee injury or illness within seven days of the incident.


Can you get an exemption from doing this?  On the OSHA website there are some business that are exempt. You can determine if your industry is one of them by typing in your SIC code in the search engine on the website. 


What happens if you don't keep the records?  Well, that means you could be subject to fines or penalties from OSHA. Depending on the infraction it could be thousands of dollars.


Keeping up with all the regulations imposed on small business is no easy task for owners. Consult a risk management or HR professional to help you. Until next time be careful out there and know your risks.


G. Kevin Nemith, President of CNC Insurance Assoc. Inc. & The Small Business Insurance Center
Serving DE, MD, PA, NJ, & VA
www.cncinsurance.com
www.bizinsurancetv.org

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