According to a press release issued early this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) made a final rule to do away with the electronic reporting of certain sensitive information about injured employees. The information in question is routinely collected on a series of injury reporting forms employers are required to maintain on-site and previously submitted online. OSHA says the change was made to protect worker privacy and prevent details of workers’ injuries from being obtained online through the Freedom of Information Act.

After this recent action, employers with 250 workers or more are no longer obligated to submit identifying information from Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and Form 301 (Injury and Illness Report.) OSHA continues to require the electronic submission of Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.) OSHA also requires Forms 300 and 301 to be posted at job sites and made available to OSHA employees for inspection and enforcement purposes.

Opposition to the Change in Electronic Reporting

There are opponents to the changes. The Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee issued a statement, saying that “accurate and transparent reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses is an important tool for protecting the health and safety of American workers.” He feels the new rules allow employers to be less accountable about the welfare of their employees. The final rule was published late last month in the Federal Register.

Reporting Workplace Injuries to an Employer

Before an employer records and reports a workplace injury or illness to OSHA, the worker must notify their employer. This is important not only for improving safety practices in the workplace and protecting other employees from hazards, but also for filing Workers’ Compensation claims. Though it is not required, workers’ compensation lawyers usually recommend workers document their accident and injuries in writing to assist with future claims.

Deadlines for reporting injuries to an employer vary from state to state. In Pennsylvania, employees have 120 days to tell their employer they have been injured or made ill on the job. However, the sooner injured workers report their accident, the sooner they can proceed with a workers’ compensation claim and start collecting benefits for medical expenses and income while they are unable to work.

It is also important to note that not all workplace injures are the result of a single incident. Some neck, back, head and soft tissue injuries develop over time after performing the same task for hours upon end without rest or from doing heavy physical labor without proper safety gear or training. Though these injuries are a bit more complicated to prove, a skilled Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyer ensures the true nature and extent of the worker’s injuries are demonstrated so they can receive benefits they deserve.

Workplace Accident Lawyers in Philadelphia at Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. Help Injured Workers Receive Important Benefits

An experienced workplace accident lawyer in Philadelphia is available to assist you throughout the claims process or lead your personal injury suit if you were hurt as a result of a third-party’s carelessness. The first step is an appointment with Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. in any of our Philadelphia metropolitan area locations. Call 888-PITT-LAW or contact the firm online to get started today.

The firm handles all types of work accident claims in Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County and throughout Pennsylvania, including those in the communities of Abington, Ambler, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, Clifton Heights, Crum Lynne, Darby, Downingtown, Doylestown, Drexel Hill, Essington, Folcroft, Glenolden, Haverford, Havertown, Holmes, Kutztown, Lansdowne, Media, Merion Station, Morton, Narberth, Norristown, Norwood, Philadelphia, Prospect Park, Quakertown, Reading, Roxborough, Sharon Hill, Upper Darby, West Chester and Wynnewood.