If its spring, I’m sure you’re being reminded of two of America’s lesser appreciated government agencies: the IRS and OSHA.

As many businesses know, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can be a constant reminder of the need to keep our workplace safe and if a gentle reminder isn’t enough, a fine sure can be! With new recordkeeping regulations coming, there’s no better time than now to get that recognition your company has earned.

Under the OSHA recordkeeping regulation (29 CFR 1904), covered employers are required to prepare and maintain records of serious occupational injuries and illnesses using the OSHA 300 Log. This information is important for employers, workers and OSHA in evaluating the safety of a workplace, understanding industry hazards, and implementing worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards.

At the end of 2016, to the surprise of many in the business community, OSHA published its final rule updating these requirements. According to OSHA Lawblog, establishments with 250 or more employees must submit information from their 2016 form 300A by July 1, 2017. Starting in 2018, these same employers will be required to submit information from all 2017 forms (300A, 300 and 301) by July 1, 2018. Beginning in 2019 and every year thereafter, the information must be submitted by March 2. Establishments with 20 or more but less than 250 employees in designated industries must submit information from their 2016 form 300A by July 1, 2017, and their 2017 form 300A by July 1, 2018. Beginning in 2019 and every year thereafter, the information must be submitted by March 2.

Partially exempt industries include establishments of specific low hazards industries: retail, service, finance, insurance or real estate. A list can be found on OSHA’s webpage at www.ohsa.gov. Unfortunately, plumbing wholesalers and manufacturers are not exempt.

Why is this important? The ASA Safety Award is based on your incident rate. Manufacturers compete against manufacturers, distributors against distributors, with three categories based on company size. That means we give out six awards at NETWORK each year. Your company should be applying — there is no excuse! This is a company-wide award, not location or site specific. Take this information to your chief operating officer or safety officer and ask them to apply for the ASA Safety Award.

Don’t delay! Log onto asa.net/Safety-Resources where you’ll find everything you need to know about the safety awards and the OSHA 300 process, as well as archived articles, Toolbox Talks and webinars.

You’ve followed the rules and maintained a safe workplace, now get recognized for it!