The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulatory control over all industries, not just those with high hazard work environments, to assure safe conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards. The degree to which OSHA has involvement with an industry and a company varies based on a number of criteria. Whether your business is in the marina, auto/RV dealership, nursery/landscape, manufacturing or refuse industries, OSHA should be on your radar screen.
OSHA requires some employers to keep, report, and post workplace injury and illness records. If your business has more than 10 employees, then you are required to comply with this federal OSHA rule, regardless of what rules exist for New York State. However, certain employers in low-hazard industries may be fully or partially exempt. For example, employers in the retail, finance, insurance, real estate, and certain service sectors may be exempt. To determine if your business might be exempt, you can speak with an HR expert at The Flanders Group or refer to http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/ppt1/RK1exempttable.html .
If you are an employer who is required to comply with OSHA’s recordkeeping and reporting rule, then you must maintain three types of OSHA-specified records of job-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA also has specific forms that it requires you to use, which are available in Adobe PDF and Microsoft Excel formats. To learn more about types of OSHA-specified records and use of the forms, please contact The Flanders Group for assistance and questions.