Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Safety & Health
- Where can I get an OSHA 300 Log?
You can download a copy of the OSHA 300 LOG (Excel®) from this Web site or contact the Workplace Safety Section at the Office of Workers' Compensation Administration.
- I hear that OSHA has new record keeping
guidelines. Is this true?
As of January 1, 2002, the Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA 200) form was replaced with the new OSHA 300 form (Excel®).
- How do I know if my business is exempt
from filing the new OSHA 300 form?
A list of employers (PDF) who are exempt from filing this new record keeping form is available for viewing. These employers are exempt unless OSHA or the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) informs them in writing that they must keep records. Complete regulations regarding the new record keeping guidelines can be found on OSHA's Web site.
- I have noticed many unsafe work practices
at my employment, and I want to file a complaint.
The Federal OSHA Compliance Area Office investigates all employee complaints. If you have a complaint, you should contact the Area Office at (225) 298-5458.
- Does the Workplace Safety Section
issue fines or citations?
No. Workplace Safety will identify any safety and health hazards found and make recommendations for correction.
- Are there any exemptions or incentive programs offered?
Yes. The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) is available for possible exemption and the Cost Containment Program is available for possible workers' compensation premium reduction.
- If any hazards are discovered at my
work site, will the Workplace Safety Section notify Federal OSHA Compliance?
No. The results of all safety and health consultative visits are confidential and are only discussed between the employer and the Workplace Safety staff.
- Will a Workplace Safety visit exempt
my workplace from a Federal OSHA Compliance inspection?
No. An initial safety and/or health visit will NOT exempt the workplace from a Federal OSHA Compliance inspection. However, participation and completion of the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) will exempt the workplace from regular programmed inspections for one calendar year.
- Once I request your services, when
do you come to conduct the visit?
The time frame for the visit is agreed upon by you and our consultant staff. The consultant will discuss with you an appropriate and convenient time. You will receive written notification of the scheduled date and time.
- How long do I have to correct any hazards identified?
The consultant will discuss with you an appropriate time frame for correcting any hazards that are found. In general, all hazards are to be corrected within 30 days.
- What if I need more time to complete
the correction of hazards?
A written extension request is usually honored if a good faith effort has been demonstrated in correcting the majority of hazards identified.
- How often should I request a Workplace Safety visit?
It is recommended that a consultation visit be conducted every two years, due to the continuous updating and changing of OSHA standards. Also, if your company begins a new process/operation or adds new construction to your existing work site, a consultation visit should be requested.
- How do I apply for an OSHA Card?
The Greater Baton Rouge Industrial Managers Association (GBRIMA) issues a card to individuals who complete a general safety and health course. This course, Basic Orientation Plus (BOP), is conducted by the Alliance Safety Council. Many employers of Louisiana require this card as a prerequisite for employment. You can reach the Alliance Safety Council at (225) 766-0955. OSHA Consultation does not issue any cards or certificates for employment purposes.
- Which employers are required to have a safety plan?
Any employer with 15 or more employees (full or part-time) that is covered under the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act is required to have a safety plan.
- I have more than 15 employees, but
they are covered by the Jones Act or Longshoremen's Act. Do I need to have
a written safety plan?
No. This regulation only applies to employees who are covered under the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act.
- I have an existing safety plan. Do
I have to rewrite one to conform to Louisiana State requirements?
As long as all ten components, including their elements, are stated in your existing safety plan, you do not have to rewrite it.
- I do not have a written safety plan,
but I have forms for accident investigation, safety meetings, etc. Does
this satisfy the requirements for a written safety plan?
No. Each component must be a written procedure.
- Do I need to have people trained
in first aid if there is a hospital or clinic nearby?
As long as the hospital or clinic is within five minutes of your facility and you have a written agreement with them regarding the treatment of first aid cases, you do not need to have people trained in first aid.
- What if I have a fire station or
paramedic squad within five minutes of my facility. Do I still need to have
people trained in first aid?
Yes. A fire station or paramedic squad does not substitute for a trained first aid attendant or a hospital or clinic.
- How do I write an emergency preparedness
procedure when I am mandated to follow the emergency procedures of the main
contractor or plant by contract?
If all of your employees are required to follow the main contractor's or plant's emergency procedures at all times, then all you have to do is state that in your plan. However, if some of your employees remain at your main office, for example, then you are required to have a written emergency preparedness procedure.
- Which employers are required to file
Form LWC-WC-1017A?
Any employer with 11 or more employees covered under the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act is required to file Form LWC WC-1017A. A list of employers (PDF) shown by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is available for viewing.
- What is a recordable case?
An incident is recordable if it is a medical case, restricted case, lost time case or fatality. Each case is distinguished by the treatment provided. For the most part, the same cases that are recorded on the OSHA 300 Log are recorded in the same way on the Form LWC WC-1017A.
- How are medical cases that are later
changed to a restricted or lost time case recorded?
If a case changes severity in a preceding quarter, use the "comment section" on the Form LWC WC-1017A to record the change. Record the number of restricted or lost time days in the current quarter and then go back and record the change in severity in the quarter in which it originally occurred.
- If I have employees who work as contractors
for my company, who records them on the Form LWC-WC-1017A?
The simplest guideline to follow is that whoever reports the employees on the OSHA 300 Log should report the employees on their Form LWC WC-1017A.
- What is a medical case?
A medical case is a recordable injury/illness (other than first aid) that requires treatment by a physician or by registered professional personnel under the standing orders of a physician.
- What is a restricted case?
Restricted work activity occurs when the employee, because of the job-related injury or illness, is physically or mentally unable to perform all or any part of his or her normal assignment during all or any part of the normal workday or shift. The emphasis is on the employee's inability to perform normal job duties over a normal work shift.
- What is a lost time case?
A lost time case is one which involves one or more days of time lost (consecutive or not) from work activity, excluding the day of the injury or onset of illness.
- How do I record lost time or restricted
days for a case that occurred last year?
You do not carry over lost or restricted days from a previous year. On January 1st of each year, you start the new year with zero cases and zero lost/restricted days.
- Have additional questions about workplace
safety and health?
Email us at workplacesafety@lwc.la.gov.
SITE COMMENTS | Equal Opportunity Employer/Program | Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
This page was last updated on June 21, 2012.
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