Avoid a Slip-Up: OSHA Form 300A Deadline

The deadline for electronically submitting OSHA Form 300A is approaching and employers don’t want to miss it. 

Connecticut employers with 250 or more employees, or those with 100 or more employees in high-risk industries, must file by March 2. 

Failure to meet the deadline may result in penalties. 

“Compliance is in the details here,” said CBIA associate human resources counsel Delmarina López. 

“There are a number of guidelines to follow to ensure compliance.”

Reporting Requirements

Only report injuries or illnesses that resulted in days away from work, job restrictions, or medical treatment beyond first aid. Exclude first aid cases.

OSHA defines reportable injuries or illnesses as:

• Work-related fatalities
• Injuries or illnesses causing loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or job transfer
• Injuries requiring medical treatment beyond first aid
• Specific cases like cancer, chronic diseases, fractures, and punctured eardrums
• Special cases, including needlesticks, sharps injuries, hearing loss, and tuberculosis

Accurately report days away or restrictions. Only count actual workdays lost or restricted, excluding weekends and holidays unless scheduled to work.

Ensure compliance with certification requirements. An executive must sign and certify the form. Besides submitting online, Form 300A must be posted in a visible location in the workplace where employees can easily view it by Feb. 1 and remain visible through April 30.

Beware of Penalties

As of Jan. 15, 2025, OSHA penalties have increased:

• Serious and other-than-serious violations: Up to $16,550 per violation
• Willful or repeated violations: Up to $165,514 per violation

Employers with 100 or more employees in high-risk industries, or those with 250 or more employees, must submit OSHA Forms 300 and 301 through the OSHA Injury Tracking Application.

Avoid Common Submission Errors

OSHA officials have listed common errors associated with Form 300 submissions. 

To avoid technical errors while filling out the Form 300A, employers must ensure they:

• Follow the required column name and order format in the ITA CSV file.
• Use integers (e.g., 1000, not 1000.00) and no commas
• Format EINs as XXXXXXXXX not as XX-XXXXXXX, and ZIP codes as XXXXX or XXXXXXXXX not as XXXXX-XXXX
• Do not use duplicate establishment names and do not leave any required fields blank
• Use text or multiple digits in fields that require specific codes (e.g. size, establishment type)

By submitting Form 300A correctly before the March 2 deadline, employers can avoid penalties and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations. 

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Delmarina López (860.244.1982).