Calif. DIR Reminds Employers About Postings

California employers are being reminded that they must post a summary of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during 2004. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requires the summary to be displayed from Feb. 1 to April 30 for employee review.

“This posting requirement is an important part of every employer’s obligation to keep workers informed about conditions that affect their occupational health and safety,” said John Rea, acting DIR director. “When an illness or injury occurs, the log is used to record specific details about what happened and how it happened.”

Every employer with 11 or more employees, except those covered in the California low-hazard exemption, must display the totals from the “Log and Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses” (OSHA Form 300A) wherever employee notices are customarily posted. Employers with no injuries or illnesses for 2004 should post the 300A with zeros through the total lines.

Employers must provide the summary, by mail or otherwise, to employees who do not report to a fixed location on a regular basis such as construction workers and traveling salespeople.

The “Log and Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses” is intended to alert workers of possible hazards. The log is used to classify work related injuries and illnesses and to note the extent and severity of each case. The form also includes the annual average number of employees and hours worked to facilitate calculating injury and illness rates.