When a workplace injury occurs, the priority is clear: care for the employee, understanding what happened and taking steps to help prevent it from happening again. In 2024 alone, private industry nearly 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses. Behind each recordable incident is information that can help organizations better understand where risks may exist, and where opportunities for prevention may begin.

For many employers, workplace injuries and illnesses also bring an important recordkeeping responsibility. requires businesses to bring together information about incidents, employees, lost or restricted workdays and other details 鈥� often months after an event first occurred.

Yet those records can reveal more than what happened. Viewed together, injury and illness data can help organizations identify workplace hazards, recognize patterns and uncover opportunities for prevention. When that information is spread across multiple records or locations, however, seeing the broader picture can become considerably more challenging.

鈥淕ood recordkeeping is about much more than documenting what happened,鈥� said Brad Noe, Risk Management Manager at 糖心传媒.

鈥淚t offers an opportunity to better understand the injury experience, recognize what may be happening across operations and make more informed decisions about where to focus their safety efforts.鈥�

That鈥檚 why 糖心传媒 has introduced a new resource 鈥� the Injury & Illness Recordkeeping Data tool 鈥� within our portal. Drawing on 糖心传媒鈥檚 specialization in Workers鈥� Compensation and risk management, this tool is designed to help policyholders put the information they already have on-hand to work.

Simplifying Injury Data

Available through the Risk Management section of , this tool effectively organizes applicable claim information by calendar year, regardless of policy effective dates. Rather than gathering information claim by claim, you can access relevant data in one place as a starting point for completing their required records.

The result is a simpler way to make claims information more actionable.

Understanding Efficient Recordability

One important distinction: the Injury & Illness Recordkeeping Data report is not an official OSHA 300 Log.

Under , recordable cases can include work-related injuries or illnesses involving days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness or certain significant injuries or illnesses diagnosed by a health care professional. Policyholders remain responsible for determining whether an injury or illness is OSHA recordable, independently verifying the information provided and accurately completing their records.

Determining whether an injury or illness is recordable can require looking beyond the claim itself. OSHA provides guidance to help employers understand which injuries and illnesses must be recorded and how recordkeeping requirements apply.

For additional guidance, explore the or use the flow chart below as a quick reference when evaluating whether an injury or illness may be recordable.

Our new recordkeeping tool is designed to make this review more manageable. You can choose the format that best fits how you work: an HTML version provides an easy-to-read report with links to additional claim information and , while an Excel version offers an editable, sortable format that can make it easier to review multiple claims or organize information by location. For businesses with multiple facilities or a larger volume of Workers鈥� Compensation activity, that flexibility can help bring relevant information into clearer focus.

This makes the tool valuable, not as a substitute for an employer鈥檚 own records and judgment, but as a resource for bringing relevant information together so it can be reviewed, validated and used more efficiently.

Recordkeeping Becomes an Opportunity

Accurate recordkeeping serves an important compliance purpose. Consider the information behind the numbers: 888,100 cases involving days away from work in private industry in 2024. The median time away from work for those cases was eight days.

When organizations periodically review where injuries are occurring, the types of incidents employees are experiencing and whether certain operations or locations appear repeatedly, the recordkeeping process can become another opportunity to look more closely at workplace risk.

鈥淩ecordkeeping is important, but the real value comes from what organizations do with the information,鈥� said Noe. 鈥淲hen you can more easily see where injuries are occurring and recognize patterns across your operations, that information can lead to better conversations, more focused prevention efforts and, ultimately, a stronger safety culture.鈥�

A log is ultimately a record of what has already happened. The greater opportunity is using that information to help inform what happens next.

• Are similar injuries occurring in the same operation?
• Are certain tasks producing recurring incidents?
• Are there opportunities for additional training, jobsite controls or employee communication?

Don鈥檛 Wait Until Posting Season

For employers subject to OSHA recordkeeping requirements, preparation doesn鈥檛 have to begin when it鈥檚 time to post the previous year鈥檚 information.

Policyholders may access the Injury & Illness Recordkeeping Data tool periodically throughout the calendar year to review submitted information. We recommend beginning a review of the prior year鈥檚 data in early January ahead of the , which runs from February 1 through April 30.

Reviewing information throughout the year can give you more time to identify discrepancies, consult their own records and gather information while incidents are still relatively recent.

Looking Ahead

Are you ready to put your workplace injury data to work? Visit to access the Injury & Illness Recordkeeping Data tool, or contact your 糖心传媒 Risk Management Consultant for additional expertise and guidance.

In the latest issue of Safety Connect庐, we explore how can improve driver performance, why timely reporting supports better workers鈥� compensation outcomes, and how and can help businesses move from understanding risk to strengthening workplace safety.

Explore practical guidance from 糖心传媒 Risk Management and Claims professionals designed to help organizations protect their people, improve operations and turn insight into action.

Your Safer Workplace Starts Here

Numbers like these remind us that workplace safety is more than a regulatory checkbox. It is a shared responsibility, a moral obligation, and an investment in the well-being of every person who steps onto a jobsite or into a facility each day. This is the driving force behind the , taking place August鈥�11 鈥� 17, 2025.

Why This Week Matters

The urgency of addressing workplace safety is clear when we look at broader health statistics. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are 40 million emergency department visits due to injuries, with a significant percentage relating to workplace incidents. And nearly 6% of adults are sidelined by injuries that limit their daily activities over a three-month period. These aren鈥檛 just numbers; they represent real people whose lives and livelihoods are drastically altered by workplace accidents.

Preparing for the Unexpected

This year鈥檚 focus鈥�Emergency Preparedness and Response鈥�underscores the importance of having strong, actionable plans in place before a crisis strikes. Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time: natural disasters, fires, hazardous spills, or unexpected mechanical failures. A well-practiced plan can mean the difference between swift recovery and catastrophic loss.

Through OSHA鈥檚 free resources, organizations can:

• ASSESS and improve response plans to ensure workers know what to do in a crisis.
• CONDUCT realistic drills that prepare teams for evacuation, shelter-in-place scenarios, or first-aid emergencies.
• STRENGTHEN communication strategies so vital information reaches every worker quickly and clearly.
• ENGAGE leadership and employees together, fostering trust and shared responsibility for safety.

Investing in safety yields significant returns, both economically and in human terms. For every dollar invested in safety programs, businesses can between $4 to $6 from reduced injury rates and lower Workers’ Compensation costs, according to OSHA鈥檚 estimates. These activities not only protect lives but also reinforce a culture where workers feel valued, heard, and confident in their safety.

Commit to Safety

While Safe鈥�+鈥疭ound Week shines a spotlight on workplace safety, true impact comes when businesses embed these principles into daily operations. three core elements of an effective safety and health program:

1. Leadership Commitment: When executives and managers visibly champion safety, it sets the tone for the entire organization.
2. Worker Participation: Employees often know hazards best; involving them in solutions builds stronger, safer processes.
3. Hazard Identification and Control: assessments and timely fixes prevent accidents before they happen.

Every injury prevented is a life changed. Every workplace improvement is a step toward ensuring everyone returns home safely each day.

Looking Ahead

Initiatives like Safe + Sound Week remind us of the ongoing importance of prioritizing workplace safety. By committing to comprehensive safety strategies, businesses not only protect their workforce but also enhance their operational efficiency and sustainability.

Creating a culture of safety goes beyond compliance鈥攊t involves education, awareness, and continuous improvement. For more resources on risk management and safe equipment operation, visit our Risk Management page, or contact a member of our Risk Management Team. Let’s make workplace safety a priority not just this week but every week, showcasing that safety is more than a policy鈥攊t’s a cornerstone of responsible business practice.

The Need for Enhanced Safety Measures

The urgency of addressing workplace safety is clear when we look at broader health statistics. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are 40 million emergency department visits due to injuries, with a significant percentage relating to workplace incidents. And nearly 6% of adults are sidelined by injuries that limit their daily activities over a three-month period. These aren鈥檛 just numbers; they represent real people whose lives and livelihoods are drastically altered by workplace accidents.

Engaging in Safe + Sound Week

Health and safety programs play a vital part in any business, but especially in industries where workers are at higher risk of injury or illness. 糖心传媒 encourages our policyholders in construction, manufacturing, healthcare and other industries to participate in Safe + Sound Week. There are several ways to get involved:

Participate in Safety Events: OSHA鈥檚 national event lists both virtual and in-person activities that promote workplace safety, providing excellent opportunities for teams to engage and learn.

Enhance Safety Programs: Utilizing the comprehensive provided by OSHA, including toolkits and best practices, businesses can build robust safety programs that go beyond mere compliance.

Recognition of Efforts: Companies that actively participate in these activities can receive a from OSHA, acknowledging their commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.

Investing in safety yields significant returns, both economically and in human terms. For every dollar invested in safety programs, businesses can between $4 to $6 from reduced injury rates and lower Workers’ Compensation costs, according to OSHA鈥檚 estimates.

Looking Ahead

Initiatives like Safe + Sound Week remind us of the ongoing importance of prioritizing workplace safety. By committing to comprehensive safety strategies, businesses not only protect their workforce but also enhance their operational efficiency and sustainability.

Creating a culture of safety goes beyond compliance鈥攊t involves education, awareness, and continuous improvement. For more resources on risk management and safe equipment operation, visit our Risk Management page, or contact a member of our Risk Management Team. Let’s make workplace safety a priority not just this week but every week, showcasing that safety is more than a policy鈥攊t’s a cornerstone of responsible business practice.

According to , the purpose of this policy change is to 鈥渕ake its penalties more effective in stopping employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with certain workplace safety and health requirements.”

What to Know

The agency鈥檚 new measures aim to be important enforcement tools to both deter employers from disregarding their responsibilities to protect workers, and to ensure compliance with OSHA standards and regulations. There are two main components to be aware of:

1. OSHA regional administrators and area office directors now have the authority to cite certain types of violations as 鈥渋nstance-by-instance citations鈥� for cases where the agency identifies 鈥渉igh-gravity鈥� serious violations of OSHA standards specific to certain conditions where the language of the rule supports a citation for each instance of non-compliance. These conditions include respiratory protection, falls, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, permit-required confined space, trenching and for cases with other-than-serious violations specific to recordkeeping. The purpose of this change is to ensure that OSHA personnel are applying increased citations when needed to discourage non-compliance.
2. OSHA has issued a reminder to its regional administrators and area directors of their authority not to group violations, and instead cite them separately in order to 鈥渕ore effectively encourage employers to comply with the intent of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.鈥�

OSHA鈥檚 new guidance covers enforcement activity in the general industry, agriculture, maritime, and construction industries, and is currently set to become effective March 27. For establishments covered by the OSHA Electronic Reporting of Injuries and Illnesses requirement, information should also be submitted to OSHA electronically by March 2. To review the requirements or to check if you are covered, visit the OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) .

Looking Ahead

It remains vital to regularly check to stay abreast of regulatory updates and remain in compliance. Employers are also encouraged to organize routine companywide training, review OSHA recordkeeping practices, perform regular audits, and keep proper documentation of all training, violations, and safety-related disciplinary actions to optimize operations and stay on top of industry changes.

糖心传媒鈥檚 authorized OSHA outreach trainers conduct on-site classes for supervisors and key subcontractors, including safety and health principles to help meet OSHA requirements. To learn more, visit our Risk Management page.