When are employers required to start keeping records of job-related injuries and illnesses?

Employers are required to start keeping records of job-related injuries and illnesses when they have more than 10 employees. This requirement is grounded in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, which mandate that any employer meeting this threshold must maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses. This helps ensure that employers are monitoring the health and safety of their workforce and adhering to regulations designed to protect employees.

The rationale behind this requirement is that with a larger workforce, the likelihood of job-related injuries and illnesses occurring increases. Keeping proper records allows employers to identify patterns, address hazards, and implement safety measures to prevent future incidents. The recordkeeping requirement underscores the importance of workplace safety and accountability, which is essential in promoting a safe working environment.

Employers with fewer than this number of employees are typically exempt from maintaining these records, as the overall risk and impact of workplace incidents may be perceived as lower. However, it is still in the best interest of all employers to practice safe work environments, regardless of employee count.