| Important Reminder: OSHA 300A Posting Deadline (Feb 1) and ITA Submission Deadline (March 2) – Resources Available | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Important-Reminder-OSHA-300A-Posting-Deadline-(Feb-1)-and-ITA-Submission-Deadline-(March-2)-–-Resources-Available-.aspx | Important Reminder: OSHA 300A Posting Deadline (Feb 1) and ITA Submission Deadline (March 2) – Resources Available | | | | | 1/20/2026 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>As we begin 2026, there are two key upcoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance deadlines for your workplace injury and illness recordkeeping: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><strong>Post your OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses)</strong> in a conspicuous location at each establishment by <strong>February 1, 2026.</strong> This posting must remain visible through April 30, 2026. The Form 300A summarizes data from the previous calendar year (2025) and must be certified by a company executive, even if no recordable incidents occurred. <br><br></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Submit your required injury and illness data electronically through OSHA's Injury Tracking Application (ITA) by March 2, 2026.</strong> The ITA is already open for submissions (data entry for 2025 began January 2, 2026). Depending on your establishment's size and industry (most long term care is covered), you may need to submit Form 300A data, and potentially detailed information from Forms 300 and 301 if in a designated industry with 100+ employees. <br><br></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">Use OSHA’s <a href="https://www.osha.gov/itareportapp?referrer=grok.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">ITA Coverage Application</a> to confirm your obligations. </span></li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>To access the ITA directly and begin or complete your submission: <strong>Injury Tracking Application (ITA) </strong>| Occupational Safety and Health Administration → <a href="https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting?referrer=grok.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting</a> </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Need more information about OSHA Recordkeeping? Here is our AHCA/NCAL Resource Roadmap. </strong></div><div><br></div><div>These resources offer practical, LTC-focused guidance to help you navigate recordkeeping, determinations, and ITA submissions effectively: </div><div><br></div><div><ol><li><strong>Basic OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements </strong></li><ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Part 1</strong> - <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Navigating-OSHA-Recordkeeping-Introduction-Insights-and-NEW-Regulation.aspx?referrer=grok.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Navigating OSHA Recordkeeping: Introduction, Insights, and NEW Regulation </a></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Part 2</strong> - <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Navigating-OSHA-Recordkeeping-Introduction-Insights-and-NEW-Regulation-Continued.aspx?referrer=grok.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Navigating OSHA Recordkeeping: Introduction, Insights, and NEW Regulation <em>Continued</em> </a></span></li></ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Determining Work-Relatedness (Including COVID-19 and Other Illnesses) </strong></span></li><ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Recordkeeping-and-Reporting-A-Guide-to-Determination.aspx?referrer=grok.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">OSHA Recordkeeping and Reporting: A Guide to Determination </a></span></li></ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) and Electronic Submission</strong> </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Navigating-OSHA-Recordkeeping-and-the-Injury-Tracking-Application-(ITA)-Complying-With-the-2024-Requirements.aspx?referrer=grok.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Navigating OSHA Recordkeeping and the Injury Tracking Application: Complying with the New Requirements</a> <em>Note: This covers 2024 rule updates, still relevant for current compliance.) </em></span></li></ul><li><strong>Webinar Resource</strong> - <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Upcoming-Webinar-OSHA-Recordkeeping-and-New-Reporting-Requirements.aspx?referrer=grok.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">OSHA Recordkeeping and New Reporting Requirements Webinar</a> (includes details on expanded requirements, best practices, and common pitfalls) </li></ol></div><div><br></div><div>For questions on applicability, steps, or coverage determination, consult OSHA’s official site or contact our regulatory team at <a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">regulatory@ahca.org</a>. </div><div><br><br></div><p></p> | As we begin 2026, there are two key upcoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance deadlines for your workplace injury and illness recordkeeping.
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| Updated OSHA Guidelines Enhance Safety Programs for Small Businesses and Long Term Care | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Updated-OSHA-Guidelines-Enhance-Safety-Programs-for-Small-Businesses-and-Long-Term-Care.aspx | Updated OSHA Guidelines Enhance Safety Programs for Small Businesses and Long Term Care | | | | | 7/16/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">The Occupational </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Safety and Health Administration </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">(OSHA) has released </span><a href="https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/osha-national-news-release/20250714" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">updated guidance</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> on </span><a href="https://www.osha.gov/fom/chapter-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">pen</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">a</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">lty and debt collection</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> procedures to make it easier for employers, especially small businesses of 25 or fewer employees, to fix hazards quickly and stay in compliance. The new policy increases penalty reductions for small employers, allowing them to invest in resources to limit hazards and to keep workers safe.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The guidance includes a 70 percent penalty reduction, previously limited to businesses with 10 or fewer employees, to include those with up to 25 employees. It also introduces a new 15 percent penalty reduction for employers who promptly address or correct a hazard. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The new policies are effective immediately. Penalties issued before July 14, 2025, will remain under the previous penalty structure. Open investigations in which penalties have not yet been issued are covered by the new guidance. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><br><br><br> | | |
| OSHA Releases Several Proposed Rules | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Releases-Several-Proposed-Rules.aspx | OSHA Releases Several Proposed Rules | | | | | 7/1/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week released several proposed rules on the </span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/14/2025-08384/request-for-information-rfi-ensuring-lawful-regulation-and-unleashing-innovation-to-make-american" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Fede</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">r</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">al Register</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">. The proposed rules appear to have a direct impact on long term care and include the following:</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><br></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11625/occupational-exposure-to-covid-19-in-healthcare-settings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal Register: Occupational Exposure to COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA is proposing to remove OSHA's COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard and its associated recordkeeping and reporting provisions from the Code of Federal Regulations.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="2"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12236/occupational-safety-and-health-standards-interpretation-of-the-general-duty-clause-limitation-for" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Register:</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> Occupational Safety and Health Standards; Interpretation of the General Duty Clause: Limitation for Inherently Risky Professional Activities</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA proposes to clarify its interpretation of the General Duty Clause, </span><a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/29/654" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1)</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">, to exclude from enforcement known hazards that are inherent and inseparable from the core nature of a professional activity or performance.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="3"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12235/amending-the-medical-evaluation-requirements-in-the-respiratory-protection-standard-for-certain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Register:</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA is proposing to remove some medical evaluation requirements in the Respiratory Protection Rule for certain types of respirators. This proposed change would only impact filtering facepiece respirators and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">An additional proposed rule was withdrawn:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11624/occupational-injury-and-illness-recording-and-reporting-requirements-withdrawal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Federal </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Register:</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements; Withdrawal</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> - Effective July 1, 2025</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">OSHA is withdrawing the proposal to amend the OSHA 300 Log by adding a column that employers would use to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Withdrawal of the proposal does not change any employer's obligation to complete and retain occupational injury and illness records under OSHA's regulations. Withdrawal of the proposal also does not change the recording criteria or definitions used for these records.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></ol></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Please send any questions to </span><a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">regulatory@ahca.org</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">. AHCA will submit comments to the Federal Register.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div> | | |
| OSHA Announces Suspension of COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements for Health Care Settings | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Announces-Suspension-of-COVID-19-Recordkeeping-and-Reporting-Requirements-for-Health-Care-Settings-.aspx | OSHA Announces Suspension of COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements for Health Care Settings | | | | | 6/23/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <div>Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (<a href="http://www.osha.gov/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">OSHA</a>) issued a <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2025-02-05" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">memorandum</a> announcing an immediate suspension, or “stay,” of its COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under <a href="https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">29 CFR 1910.502</a>. This change, effective until further notice, relieves nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospitals, and other health care settings from maintaining a dedicated COVID-19 log or reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations as previously required. Issued by Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott C. Ketcham and Acting Director Erin P. Gilmore, the memo marks a significant shift in OSHA’s approach to COVID-19 compliance. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Background </strong></div><div><br></div><div>In June 2021, OSHA adopted the <em>Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard</em> (ETS) to protect workers in health care settings from COVID-19. Codified at 29 CFR 1910.502, the ETS required employers to develop COVID-19 safety plans, maintain a log of employee COVID-19 cases, and report work-related fatalities and hospitalizations. In December 2021, OSHA withdrew most ETS provisions but retained the recordkeeping and reporting requirements to monitor workplace exposures. These included maintaining a COVID-19 log for all employee cases (regardless of work-relatedness) and reporting fatalities and hospitalizations that occurred long after the initial date of illness. The February 2025 memo ends enforcement of these requirements, aligning COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting with standard OSHA regulations under 29 CFR 1904. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Changes in COVID-19 Death and Hospitalization Reporting </strong></div><div><br></div><div>Under standard OSHA rules, nursing homes and assisted living communities must report work-related fatalities within eight hours and in-patient hospitalizations within 24 hours of learning about the event - but only if the fatality occurs within 30 days of a workplace incident or the hospitalization occurs within 24 hours of the incident. For COVID-19, this means only cases clearly tied to workplace exposure and meeting these exposure-to-event timelines are reportable, which can be challenging to determine due to community spread. </div><div><br></div><div>During the Health Care ETS from June to December 2021, OSHA required reporting of all work-related COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations, regardless of how much time had passed since the workplace exposure. The reporting timelines remained the same (eight hours for fatalities, 24 hours for hospitalizations after discovery), but the ETS eliminated the 30-day (fatality) and 24-hour (hospitalization) exposure-to-event restrictions. This meant facilities had to report even cases where death or hospitalization occurred months after exposure, increasing the reporting burden. </div><div><br></div><div>With the February 5, 2025, stay, the ETS reporting requirements are no longer enforced. Facilities revert to the standard OSHA rules, reporting only work-related COVID-19 fatalities within 30 days of exposure and hospitalizations within 24 hours of exposure. This reduces the number of reports required but requires careful assessment of work-relatedness and adherence to the exposure-to-event timelines. </div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img src="/News-and-Communications/Blog/PublishingImages/Pages/OSHA-Announces-Suspension-of-COVID-19-Recordkeeping-and-Reporting-Requirements-for-Health-Care-Settings-/OSHA.PNG" alt="OSHA.PNG" style="margin:5px;" /><br><br><br></div><div><strong style="font-size:11pt;">Implications for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities </strong></div><div><br></div><div>The stay significantly reduces the administrative burden on health care facilities. Nursing homes and assisted living communities no longer need to maintain a separate COVID-19 log or report fatalities and hospitalizations under the ETS rules. This allows staff to focus on resident care and other safety priorities, such as infection control and staff training. However, facilities must continue to record work-related COVID-19 cases on OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 if they meet the criteria under 29 CFR 1904 (e.g., confirmed cases requiring medical treatment or time off work). </div><div><br></div><div>Administrators should review their recordkeeping processes to ensure compliance with standard OSHA requirements and document assessments of work-relatedness for COVID-19 cases. For guidance on distinguishing <em>recording</em> from <em>reporting</em> and determining work-relatedness for COVID-19 cases, see <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Recordkeeping-and-Reporting-A-Guide-to-Determination.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Recordkeeping and Reporting: A Guide to Determination</a>. While the COVID-19 log is no longer mandatory, some facilities may choose to maintain it voluntarily to track exposures and inform safety measures. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities should also sustain robust infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, ventilation, and personal protective equipment use, to protect residents and staff. Consulting OSHA’s COVID-19 guidance for nursing homes can help maintain a safe environment. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Conclusion </strong></div><div><br></div><div>OSHA’s suspension of COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under 29 CFR 1910.502 reflects a shift in pandemic-related compliance as the public health landscape evolves. For nursing homes and assisted living communities, this change offers relief from administrative tasks but underscores the importance of adhering to standard OSHA recordkeeping rules and prioritizing workplace safety. Facilities should schedule a compliance review to align with 29 CFR 1904, train staff on updated processes, and consult compliance experts as needed. </div><div><br></div><div>Please send questions to <a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">regulatory@ahca.org</a>. <br></div><p><br><br></p> | Earlier this year, OSHA issued a memorandum announcing an immediate suspension, or “stay,” of its COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under 29 CFR 1910.502. | |