Minnesota OSHA Adopts Federal Regulations on Tracking Workforce Injuries, Illnesses

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Kari Thurlow

The Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) announced that Minnesota OSHA has adopted the federal regulation requiring employees to electronically submit injury and illness data that they already record. All Minnesota employers with 20 or more employees are required to electronically submit their data to federal OSHA by July 1. 

Analysis of this data will enable OSHA to use its enforcement and compliance assistance resources more efficiently. Some of the data will also be posted to the OSHA website. OSHA believes that public disclosure will encourage employers to improve workplace safety and provide valuable information to workers, job seekers, customers, researchers and the public. The amount of data submitted will vary depending on the size of company and type of industry. 

How Does Electronic Submission Work?

OSHA has provided a secure website that offers three options for data submission:

• First, users can manually enter data into a webform.
• Second, users can upload a CSV file to process single or multiple establishments at the same time.
• Last, users of automated recordkeeping systems will have the ability to transmit data electronically via an API (application programming interface).

The Injury Tracking Application (ITA) is accessible from the ITA launch page, where you are able to provide the Agency your 2017 OSHA Form 300A information. The date by which employers are required to submit to OSHA the information from their completed 2017 Form 300A is July 1. Beginning in 2019 and every year thereafter, the information must be submitted by March 2. 

For more information, see Final Rule Issued to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injury and Illnesses.

Training Opportunity

To help you prepare for this requirement, we encourage you to register for one of the free introductory-level training seminars offered by DLI about OSHA recordkeeping requirements:

• May 31 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
• June 21 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
• June 29 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.