Unsafe acts on the job can lead to workplace incidents resulting in injuries, illnesses, or fatalities. Time is critical when reporting an injury.
Workers must ensure they are familiar with the company incident reporting procedure and must report ALL work-related incidents quickly.
When workers report an incident quickly it can provide the company with valuable time to investigate the cause and make sure that workers receive the medical care they need.
OSHA Standard 1904.35(b)(1)(i) You must establish a reasonable procedure for employees to report work related injuries and illnesses promptly and accurately. A procedure is not reasonable if it would deter or discourage a reasonable employee from accurately reporting a workplace injury or illness.
An injury is considered work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition, injury, or illness to a worker.
OSHA Standard 1904.35(a)(1) You must inform each employee of how he or she is to report a work-related injury or illness to you.
Immediately after a work-related incident occurs workers should:
When an incident is reported quickly it allows the injured worker the opportunity to receive quick and proper treatment that may be needed.
Sometimes an employee may believe they have a “minor” injury and decide not to report it or get the injury evaluated which may cause it to become worse.
In addition to reporting the incident quickly it is important to consider the following:
OSHA Standard 1904.35(b)(1)(iii)(A)-(B) Employees have the right to report work-related injuries and illnesses; and Employers are prohibited from discharging or in any manner discriminating against employees for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses.
Employers and workers benefit from each incident that is reported quickly in these ways:
Every company is required to notify OSHA about certain types of work-related incidents. OSHA requires all work-related fatalities to be reported within 8 hours of occurrence as well as all work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations and losses of an eye within 24 hours of occurrence.
OSHA Standard 1904.39(a)(1)-(2) Within eight (8) hours after the death of any employee as a result of a work-related incident, you must report the fatality to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor. Within twenty-four (24) hours after the in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees or an employee's amputation or an employee's loss of an eye, as a result of a work-related incident, you must report the in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye to OSHA.
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