California DIR: Friendly Reminder: Post Your Annual Injury and Illness Summary

A message from the California Department of Industrial Relations (online here):

California employers to post annual work-related injury and illness summary

Oakland — The California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DIR/DOSH), also known as Cal/OSHA, is providing 2013’s notification to all employers to post the annual summary of all work-related injuries and illnesses (Form 300A). The form must be posted at their place of business from February 1 through April 30.

The Form 300A is available for free download on DIR’s website. The form is a required workplace posting so that employees may have the opportunity to review any injury or illness that took place at their worksite in the prior year. Former employees and their representatives have a right to review the form as well. The form must be posted in a visible and easily-accessible area.

“Transparency and accountability are very important aspects of the employer-employee relationship,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen Widess. “This form gives employees, former employees and their representatives access to worksite injury and illness data. Full and accurate reporting of injuries and illnesses is vital to understanding hazards in the workplace. It is also a good tool to determine where additional safety and health measures are needed.”

Employers are required to fill out and post the Form 300A every year, even if no workplace injuries occurred. Information that must be disclosed on the form includes total number of cases with days away from work, total number of days injured or sick employees spent away from work, and the different types of injury or illness suffered.

Employers who would like more information on their posting requirements or who would like more information on how to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses are encouraged to visit the DIR Employer Information page. In addition, if an employer would like to speak with a Cal/OSHA consultant, free assessments are available to California businesses by calling the Cal/OSHA Consultation Program 1-800-963-9424.
Employees with work-related questions or complaints can call the California Workers’ Information Hotline at 1-866-924-9757.

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OSHA: Employers Must Pay for Most Personal Protective Equipment

Both federal and state OSHA impose rules requiring employees to wear "personal protective equipment" such as work boots, safety goggles, etc. Federal OSHA just issued a final regulation requiring employers to pay for such equipment in most circumstances. The obligation is limited to equipment required for compliance with OSHA standards.

According to OSHA's preface to the regulation:

The items excepted from payment by this rule are: Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (including steel-toe shoes or steel-toe boots) and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear, that is allowed by the employer to be worn off the job-site; Shoes or boots with built-in metatarsal protection that the employee has requested to use instead of the employer-provided detachable metatarsal guards; Logging boots required by 1910.266(d)(1)(v); Everyday work clothing; or ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items used solely for protection from the weather.

For a long, detailed discussion and the regulation itself, please see here.

February 1 Is OSHA Log Day!

February 1 is when all good employers' thoughts turn to their OSHA 300 logs.
Here is a helpful reminder from our friends at the California Chamber of Commerce.

Greg