(January 30, 2012) The California Chamber of Commerce is reminding employers that they must post a summary of job-related injuries and illnesses from 2011 at their place of business by February 1.
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requires the Cal/OSHA Log 300 summary (Form 300A) to be displayed from February 1 to April 30 for employee review.
A free Log 300 wizard is available at the CalChamber Store to help a business determine whether it is subject to recordkeeping requirements.
Companies that had 10 or fewer employees at all times during the last calendar year do not need to keep Cal/OSHA injury and illness records. Employers with 11 or more employees, except those covered in the California low-hazard establishments in the retail, service, finance and real estate sectors, must display the totals from the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Cal/OSHA Form 300A) wherever employee notices are usually posted. If there is more than one business establishment, a separate summary must be posted in each physical location that is expected to be in operation for one year or longer.
More information on Log 300 filing and posting requirements is available on HRCalifornia.
Form 300: Not Posted
The Form 300 is used to record, or log, all injuries and illnesses, except those that have been determined to be first aid only. Typically, the Form 300 is not posted because there may be employee privacy issues involved.
Employers are not to include the employee’s name for specific injuries or illnesses such as needle sticks, HIV infection, hepatitis, sexual assault and others. In addition, an employee suffering from an injury or illness not listed as a privacy issue may request that his/her name not be entered on the log.
Post Form 300A
Another form, the 300A, must be completed and posted beginning February 1. This form contains a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during the previous year. Employers are required to post only the summary (Form 300A)—not the Form 300 (Log)—from February 1 to April 30.
The summary must list the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in the previous year and were logged on the Form 300 (Log). Employment information about the annual average number of employees and total hours worked during the calendar year also is required to assist in calculating incidence rates. Companies with no recordable injuries or illnesses in the previous year must post the summary with zeros on the “total” line. A company executive must certify all establishment summaries.
The form is to be displayed in a common area where notices to employees usually are posted. Employers must make a copy of the summary available to employees who move from worksite to worksite, such as construction workers, and employees who do not report to any fixed establishment on a regular basis.
Temporary Workplaces
For establishments in existence for less than one year, one OSHA log/summary may incorporate all recordable injuries and illnesses that may occur at any and all of the “temporary” establishments. That log/summary for the “temporary” establishments may be included with the central location’s Log 300 and summary.
If a company has developed or has available a system to receive all the required accident/illness information to develop and update a site-specific log, a centralized record keeping system can be maintained. The company must have the ability to return the specific information to the affected location within seven days, however.
More Information/Forms
A free wizard to help determine whether a business is subject to Form 300 filing and posting requirements is available at www.calchamberstore.com/log300wizard.
For more information on Form 300 filing and posting requirements, or copies of the OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301, visit hrcalifornia.com.