On Sept. 11, 2014, OSHA announced a new final rule for reporting and recording severe work-related injuries and illnesses. Under the new rule, employers will be required to report any work-related fatality to OSHA within eight hours and any in-patient hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye within 24 hours. The final rule also updates the list of partially exempt industries. The final rule becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2015. States with OSHA-approved plans must notify OSHA within 60 days whether they intend to adopt the new rule or impose a different rule that is at least as effective as the new OSHA rule. Compliance for state OSHA plans is encouraged by Jan. 1, 2015 and required by Jan. 1, 2016.
