by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.

As of January 1, 2015, there has been a change in reporting requirements for covered employers. According to the US Department of Labor blog employers are now required to report all work-related fatalities within eight hours and all inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye within 24 hours of finding out about the accident. Until the first of this year, employers were required to report all fatalities and those incidents in which three or more workers were hospitalized as a result of the same accident.

Employers can report by calling their nearest area office during normal business hours, calling the OSHA hotline, which is available on a 24 hour basis at 1-800-321-OSHA, orreport online. The US Department of Labor website has confirmed that the electronic reporting form for employers will not be available until mid-January, so at the current time only the first two options are available.