Title of Regulation: 16VAC25-85. Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (amend 16VAC25-85-1904.0, 16VAC25-85-1904.4, 16VAC25-85-1904.29, 16VAC25-85-1904.32, 16VAC25-85-1904.33, 16VAC25-85-1904.34, 16VAC25-85-1904.35, 16VAC25-85-1904.40).

Statutory Authority: § 40.1-22 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: May 15, 2017.

Agency Contact: Regina P. Cobb, Agency Management Analyst Senior, Department of Labor and Industry, Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-0610, FAX (804) 786-8418, or email regina.cobb@doli.virginia.gov.

Summary:

In a final rule, federal Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) amended its Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses regulations to clarify that the duty to make and maintain accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing obligation. The amendments clarify the recordkeeping requirements for the (i) OSHA 300 Log, (ii) OSHA 301 Incident Report, and (iii) year-end records review, preparation of certification, and posting of the Form 300A annual summary. The amendments add no new compliance obligations and do not require employers to make records of any injuries or illnesses for which records are not currently required to be made. In this regulatory action, the board is adopting this final rule.

Note on Incorporation by Reference: Pursuant to § 2.2-4103 of the Code of Virginia, 29 CFR Part 1904 (Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses) is declared a document generally available to the public and appropriate for incorporation by reference. For this reason, this document will not be printed in the Virginia Register of Regulations. A copy of the document is available for inspection at the Department of Labor and Industry, Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, and in the office of the Registrar of Regulations, General Assembly Building, 201 North 9th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Statement of Final Agency Action: On February 16, 2017, the Safety and Health Codes Board adopted federal OSHA's Final Rule on the Clarification of Employer's Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain an Accurate Record of Each Recordable Injury and Illness, as published in 81 FR 91809 through 81 FR 91810 on December 19, 2016, with an effective date of May 15, 2017.

Federal Terms and State Equivalents: When the regulations as set forth in the revised final rule for Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses is applied to the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry or to Virginia employers, the following federal terms shall be considered to read as follows: