The 2004 OSHA 300 and 300A forms have changed in several important ways from the 2003 recordkeeping forms.
Although much ado was made about OSHA not adding a column to the 300 Form for musculoskeletal injurires, the agency did add a column for occupational hearing loss. The change was made to the Form 300, Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, on July 1, 2002, and takes affect on Jan. 1, 2004. The new forms:
Modify the current 2003 300 and 300A forms to include the new hearing loss column data.
Reverse two columns on the 300 and 300A forms.
Employers must begin to use the new forms on Jan. 1, 2004. If you have recordkeeping software, you must upgrade to a version with the new forms.
"This decision does not change the current way injuries or illnesses are recorded and does not affect an employer's obligation to record work-related injuries," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "Employers will continue to check the column for 'injury' or 'all other illness,' depending on the circumstances of the case."
OSHA made several other changes to the forms to make recordkeeping less difficult:
- The number of days away and job transfer/restriction days columns have been reversed so they are in the same sequence as the preceding columns requiring an "X" for the same classifications. The days "away from work" column now comes before days "on job transfer or restriction." (K and L reversed)
- OSHA clarified the formulas for calculating incidence rates.
- The new column for reporting hearing loss is M5. The old column heading for M5, "All Other Illnesses," is now M6.
- The column heading "Classify the Case" is now more prominent to make it clear that employers should mark only one selection among the four columns offered.