TRADE NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday, January 23, 2001
CONTACT: Frank Meilinger
PHONE: (202) 693-1999

OSHA REMINDS EMPLOYERS TO POST INJURY/ILLNESS SUMMARIES DURING FEBRUARY

During the month of February employers with 11 or more employees must post a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses which occurred in 2000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The summary must remain posted from Feb. 1 to March 1, 2001.

Since 1972, employers have been required to post the annual totals of the information contained on the right-hand portion of the OSHA Form 200, "Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses." The form is to be displayed wherever notices to employees are usually posted.

The right-hand portion of the OSHA Form 200 includes information on type of injury and illness, extent and outcome. This information alerts employees to possible hazards. Access to the entire OSHA Form 200 for an establishment may be requested by employees, former employees and their designated representatives, and OSHA officials.

Companies with no injuries and illnesses in 2000 must post the form with zeros on the total line. The person who prepares the annual summary must certify that the totals are correct and sign the form.

Employers must make a copy of the summary available to employees who move from worksite to worksite, such as construction workers, and employees who do not report to any fixed establishment on a regular basis.

Employers with ten or fewer employees and employers in certain industry groups are normally exempt from federal OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and posting requirements. As of Jan. 1, 1983, employers in certain statistically safe industry groups were also exempt, such as certain retail trades; finance, insurance, and real estate; and certain service industries.

Exempted employers may still be selected by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics to participate in an annual statistical survey. All employers covered by OSHA must continue to comply with pertinent safety and health standards and must report verbally within eight hours to the nearest OSHA office for all accidents which result in one or more fatalities or in the hospitalization of three or more employees. After hours calls to report accidents can be made toll free by calling 1-800-321-OSHA.

Copies of the OSHA Form 200 are available from your local OSHA office.