Stay Up to Date on OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application

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At long last, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration has opened its Injury Tracking Application portal for submissions. Originally slated for a Feb. 1, 2017 unveiling, the launch of the portal was delayed until Aug. 1, 2017.

Just weeks after its debut, OSHA briefly shuttered the site in mid-August, when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified the agency of a possible security breach. Following a thorough review, OSHA determined no information had been compromised, and declared the issue a false alarm.   

That slight hiccup is now in the past, so you can feel confident in disclosing information through the portal. Learn more about the submission process to determine what you’ll need to do to comply.

Submission Not Currently Required

At present, submission of recordkeeping forms is not mandatory. In June 2017, OSHA proposed a delay of compliance from the initial date of July 1, 2017 to Dec. 1, 2017. The move was made to give the new administration time to review the new electronic reporting requirements before they were put in place and to let companies have more time to get acquainted with the portal, since its launch was delayed several months.

It’s never too soon to start preparing, as Dec. 1, 2017 is the expected deadline for employers to submit recordkeeping forms through the portal. Getting used to this process will require an adjustment period, so it’s best to start familiarizing yourself with it as soon as possible.

ITA Submission Guidelines

Not all companies need to submit illness and injury records through OSHA’s ITA portal. Those covered include businesses with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records. Additionally, employers with 20 to 249 employees that fall into certain industries with noted high rates of occupational injuries and illness are also included.

If your establishment falls into either of the above categories, plan to submit 2017 illness and injury records using the 2016 300A Form. Starting in 2018, employers required to comply with at least 250 employees will need to provide all recordkeeping forms, including the 300 Log, 301 Forms and 300A Forms. Companies required to comply with less than 250 employees will need to submit only the 300A Form.

Make sure you’re always informed of the latest OSHA news and updates by regularly checking in with the MAC Incorporated blog. Worksite safety is our top priority, so if you share this sentiment, work with us to find industry-leading engineering, maintenance, and operations management professionals who share this mindset.