OSHA Publishes Additional Information on Reporting COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Deaths

Author: Robert S. Teachout, XpertHR Legal Editor

October 14, 2020

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published additional frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the requirement for employers to report work-related cases of COVID-19. The FAQs address the need to report an employee's in-patient hospitalization or fatality resulting from exposure to the coronavirus.

The newly published FAQs provide information to help employers apply the existing injury and illness recording and reporting requirements to the coronavirus. In particular, the FAQs:

  • Provide guidance on how to calculate the reporting deadlines for in-patient hospitalizations and fatalities; and
  • Clarify the meaning of the term "incident" as it relates to work-related coronavirus in-patient hospitalizations and fatalities.

OSHA requires employers to determine whether an employee case of COVID-19 is work-related and therefore required to be recorded on the employer's OSHA 300 Log.