The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has developed on online tool to help employers assess their obligations under the agency’s injury and illness recordkeeping regulations. The OSHA Recordkeeping Advisor is presented in question and answer format and directs users to the next appropriate inquiry and/or course of action based on their responses. The stated purpose of the online tool is to help employers determine:

• Whether an injury or illness (or related event) is work-related
• Whether an event or exposure at home or on travel is work-related
• Whether an exception applies to the injury or illness
• Whether a work-related injury or illness needs to be recorded
• Which provisions of the regulations apply when recording a work-related case

The agency emphasizes that the tool is designed to help employers better understand their recordkeeping requirements, but should not be used as a substitute for OSHA’s more detailed regulations, handbooks, or letters of interpretation.

Photo credit: doram