Rancho Mesa's Client Communications Coordinator Megan Lockhart and Client Technology Coordinator Kathryn Zamora discuss OSHA’s recent ruling to expand recordkeeping requirements for high-hazard industries.

Show Notes: ⁠Subscribe to Rancho Mesa's Newsletter⁠.

Director/Host: ⁠⁠Megan Lockhart⁠⁠

Guest: ⁠Kathryn Zamora⁠

Producer/Editor: ⁠Lauren Stumpf⁠

Music: "Home" by JHS Pedals, “News Room News” by Spence

© Copyright 2023. Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Transcript

Alyssa Burley: This episode is brought to you by Sentry Insurance. Sentry Insurance is an A plus rated mutual insurance company specializing in providing all lines of insurance protection for artisan and trade contractors through a very limited number of select agency partners like Rancho Mesa Insurance.

AB: Hi. This is Alyssa Burley with Ranch and Media Communications and Client Services Department. Thank you for listening to today's top Rancho Mesa News. Brought to you by our Safety and Risk Management Network, StudioOne.

Megan Lockhart: Welcome back, everyone. This is Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator at Rancho Mesa. I'm subbing in as host for today's episode while Alyssa is on vacation. My guest today is Kathryn Zamora, Client Technology Coordinator with Rancho Mesa. And today, we're covering OSHA's recent ruling to expand recordkeeping requirements for high hazard industries. Kathryn, this is your first time ever being on the podcast, so congratulations for that. And welcome to the show.

Kathryn Zamora: Thanks, Megan. I'm happy to be here.

ML: Of course. So federal OSHA recently made this final ruling for high hazard industries that will expand on what injury and illness information is needed to be electronically submitted to OSHA. We have a lot of our clients that fall into the category of high hazard, which includes construction companies. Kathryn, Can you expand on what these requirements will entail and or what these businesses will now have to report on?

KZ: Sure. So the requirements state that businesses with 100 or more employees in certain high hazard industries must now electronically submit information for their Form 300 log of work related injuries and illnesses, as well as Form 301 Injury and Illness Report to OSHA annually. And this will be in addition to form 300 A, Summary of Work Related Injuries and Illnesses which is already required. Additionally, establishments are required to include their legal company name when making these submissions to OSHA from their injury and illness records.

ML: Okay, great. So we know companies in high hazard industries like construction are already required to keep records of their work related injury and illnesses. But now this data is to be submitted to OSHA. Can you tell us the reason for this data collection or what OSHA plans to do with it?

KZ: The information gathered will be published on the OSHA website. Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Doug Parker, said in OSHA's press release that the reason is to allow for the community to make more informed decisions about the safety levels of the companies that provide this information. And their hope is that by requiring this information, employers and workers will be more careful about preventing injury and illness and therefore reduce the amount of incidents.

ML: Okay, so when will these requirements officially take effect?

KZ: The new requirements will go into effect January 1st of 2024.

ML: Okay, great. And California businesses currently submit their recordkeeping information directly to Federal OSHA, correct?

KZ: Yes, that's correct. The Cal OSHA board has not yet released information regarding the new requirements, but they will need to either uphold the standards set by Fed OSHA or create stricter requirements. We'll be sure to keep client updated as further guidelines are announced from Cal OSHA.

ML: Well, that was a lot of great information and really important for clients in these industries to be aware of. So, Kathryn, thanks so much for joining me in StudioOne.

KZ: Of course, Megan. Thanks for having me.

AB: This is Alyssa Burley with Rancho Mesa. Thanks for tuning into our latest episode, produced by StudioOne. For more information, visit us at ranchomesa.com and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.