OSHA issued a Letter of Interpretation Jan. 15 that clarifies the new reporting standard for severe injuries on the jobsite, which went into effect Jan. 1. The interpretation letter provides a definition of what constitutes an amputation and also how to distinguish between an amputation and an avulsion. In addition, the letter clarifies which eye-related injuries are reportable. 

The complete Letter of Interpretation is available online. 

OSHA’s new deadlines for reporting severe injuries on the jobsite, which the letter offers guidance on, affects all employers covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act – even those who are exempt from maintaining injury and illness records. Contractors are required to notify OSHA within eight hours if there is a work-related fatality on the job and within 24 hours when an employee suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye. 

Employers can report incidents electronically through OSHA’s website or by phone. For more information on OSHA’s updates on reporting fatalities and severe injuries see OSHA’s fact sheet.