It’s important to keep your OSHA form 300A clean by avoiding workplace injuries. It seems like a simple expectation, but you need to be diligent about following the guidelines for workplace safety as defined by OSHA. Some steps to get there include installing OSHA-compliant indoor fall protection like a safety rail and self closing gate, providing personal fall safety equipment, and training employees to work safely.
What Is OSHA Form 300A?
Whenever there is a work-related illness or injury that occurs in your facility or at a worksite you control, you’re obligated by law to report it to OSHA. The purpose of this reporting is to provide OSHA with the necessary data to develop new outreach and enforcement initiatives to help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. OSHA form 300A is an annual report and it’s actually only one of three related OSHA forms used to report injuries.
At the end of each calendar year, employers are required to file OSHA Form 300A, Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form will contain every instance of injury or illness and must be posted in a visible spot in the workplace for three months (February 1 to April 30).
At the end of the year, the goal for any workplace is a clean OSHA form 300A. It’s assurance you’re doing all the right things and that your employees are taking workplace safety seriously.
How to Keep Your Annual OSHA 300A Form Clean
In a perfect world, your workplace would be 100% safe, free of fall hazards, and completely compliant with OSHA regulations. But, in the real world, things aren’t always perfect and there’s always room for improvement, such as updating your fall safety equipment or improving your training courses.
Keep in mind that OSHA 300A is a report of all the work-related injuries, incidents, accidents, and illnesses in your facility for the year. Your objective is to avoid these workplace issues and the potentially costly OSHA fines that go with them.
A work-related injury and illness-free workplace is possible, but it takes hard work and dedication.
Know What to Report on the 300A Form
While it may be tempting to simply not report any of the incidents, accidents, or illnesses your company has had to get a clean 300A report, that’s a very bad idea. Remember that you’re bound by law to conform to OSHA regulations, and you are required to report cases that involve:
- Missed workdays,
- Work restrictions,
- Transfer to another position,
- Medical treatment (beyond first aid),
- Loss of consciousness,
- Diagnosis of a significant illness or injury.
Fall Protection: Your Biggest Concern
The most often cited cause of injury in a workplace comes from employee falls. That means one of the best tactics you can follow to keep a clean 300A form is by addressing fall hazards within your facility. To do so, follow these fall safety tips:
Perform Regular Workplace Safety Inspections
Before you can address any potential fall hazards in your facility, you need to know where they are. To do so, you’ll need to perform a thorough safety inspection with the assistance of a qualified safety expert. This inspection should focus on evaluating what hazards exist and what can be done to eliminate or mitigate them. Observe employees as they work and interview them to discover what hazards they feel are most dangerous.
Install OSHA-Compliant Fall Protection
Once you’ve identified fall hazards in your facility, you’ll want to look at different forms of OSHA fall protection. Depending upon your facility and the specific needs of your workers, installing an indoor fall protection system that consists of a guardrail and self closing gate may be adequate. OSHA doesn’t specify what type of safety equipment you need to use; it is the responsibility of you and your qualified safety expert to make this decision.
Provide Personal Fall Protection Equipment
If you’re unable to install a safety rail and self-closing gate due to lack of space or other issues, you still need to protect workers at height. When passive fall protection isn’t practical, you need to use active fall protection devices. In most cases, this will mean personal fall safety equipment like a harness, lanyard, lifeline to help protect workers from falls.
Make Safety Training a Top Priority
You can’t just install OSHA fall protection equipment and call it a day, it’s up to you to make sure your employees understand how to work safely. When onboarding new employees, it’s important that they know safety is vital to every employee from the top down. Initial training as well as ongoing training is essential to ensure workers know, understand, and follow the safety protocols you have in place.
Meet With and Listen to Your Employees
The best source of information about fall hazards inside your facility is your workforce. Every employee, regardless of their position, can offer valuable information about safety issues. If you pay close attention and address these concerns quickly, you could significantly improve safety in your facility.
Consult With a Qualified Indoor Fall Safety Expert
There is absolutely no excuse for being out of compliance with OSHA regulations and you must do everything you can to provide protection for your employees. By enlisting the help of a qualified safety expert, you can gain valuable knowledge that will help you choose the right fall protection equipment to keep people safe. If you don’t have a safety expert on staff, a Fabenco expert will be happy to assist you.
OSHA Fall Protection You Can Count On
Keeping your employees safe is your top priority and it’s also OSHA’s main concern. If you don’t report an injury or illness appropriately, you could face even more fines and penalties. If you fail to provide proper indoor fall protection and someone gets hurt, it’s going to be painfully expensive for your company. Avoid all these hassles and keep your people safe with OSHA-compliant safety equipment and guidance from Fabenco. Contact us today to discuss your fall protection needs so you can keep your OSHA 300A form clean this year.
