• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Barbara Weltman

Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc.

Whitepaper download

Subscribe and download our eBook, "150+ Tax Deductions for Small Business A to Z."

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Get the:

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Big Ideas For Your Business
    • Idea Of The Day ®
    • SMB Legal
    • SMB Taxes
    • SMB Financial
    • Small Business
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Services
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Radio Shows/Podcasts
  • Be a Guest Blogger

Gearing Up for New Workers’ Comp Rules

November 1, 2014 / By Barbara Weltman

When it comes to workers’ compensation, employers face two issues: handling the cost of this insurance coverage and managing government-mandated recordkeeping responsibilities. New reporting and recordkeeping rules take effect on January 1, 2015, so get ready now.

Changes in exemptions for reporting
Under federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules, companies in certain industries with more than 10 employees must keep records of on-the-job injuries and illnesses. Under the new rules, the list of industries has been expanded to include auto parts stores, bakeries, building materials sellers, car dealers, museums, tire stores, wine stores, and others. There’s a brief online tutorial that newly-included employers can use to familiarize themselves with the recordkeeping rules.

Note: If you are in a state that operates its own safety and health plan (called a state-plan state), check with your department of labor to determine whether the new rules apply to you.

Reporting workplace fatalities
If any worker dies on the job (whether or not the company is exempt from basic reporting requirements), this must be reported within 8 hours of finding out about it. This requirement has not changed.

Reporting for fatalities and serious injuries (discussed below) can be done in one of 3 ways:

  1. Calling OSHA at 800-321-OSHA.
  2. Calling or visiting the closest Area Office during normal business hours (assuming these fit your time constraints because you can’t leave a phone message).
  3. Submitting an online form.

Reporting for fatalities and serious injuries is not required if they result from a motor vehicle accident on a public street or highway (other than in a construction work zone) or occur on commercial or public transportation. Fatalities that occur more than 30 days after a work-related incident also do not need to be reported; serious work-related injuries (defined below) must be reported within 24 hours. No reporting is required for a heart attack that results from a work-related incident.

Reporting serious injuries
Through the end of 2014, employers (including those exempt from basic reporting requirements) must report to OSHA any work-related hospitalization of 3 or more employees. Starting January 1, 2015, reporting applies to an inpatient hospitalization of even one employee, any work-related amputation, and any work-related loss of an eye (all considered “serious injuries”). Reporting must be done within 24 hours of learning about the injury.

Insurance reporting
Reporting to the government may be only half the job; informing your insurance carrier or state plan may also be required within set time limits. Check for:

  • What types of incidents you must report
  • When you must submit reports
  • Forms or other means of making reports

Conclusion
If you have any employees, make sure you have adequate workers’ compensation coverage. For a quick overview of this insurance, see The Hartford’s Business Owner’s Playbook.

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • General Business (506)
  • Guest Blog (113)
  • Homepage (24)
  • Small Business (1,004)
  • SMB Financial (329)
  • SMB Legal (67)
  • SMB Taxes (326)

Barbara’s Recent Posts

  • What the U.S. Supreme Court Told Small Businesses in This Term: Part 1 July 3, 2025
  • Mid-Year Business Planning for 2025 July 1, 2025
  • 10 Ideas for Coping with Cash Flow Challenges June 26, 2025
  • 5 Insurance Traps to Avoid June 24, 2025
  • Creating a Feng Shui Office Layout for Your Business June 20, 2025
  • Scaling Your Business by Optimizing Social Media Marketing June 19, 2025
  • The Timeless Value of Business Cards in a Digital World June 18, 2025
  • What Does the Latest IRS Data Book Tell Us? June 17, 2025
  • Business Advice from Famous Dads June 12, 2025
  • How Important Is Higher Education for Small Business Owners June 11, 2025
  • Business Planning in a Period of Uncertainty June 10, 2025
  • 9 Smart Financial Decisions for Business Owners in Retirement June 6, 2025
Awarded Top 100 Small Business Blog medal (link will open in a new window or tab)
Marquis Who's Who 2023 Badge
Top Small Business Blogs (Link will open in a new window or tab.)
8 Financial blogs small business Owners Need to Read. Invoice home.  (link will open in a new window or tab)
Best Small Business Blog, Expertido.org
Top 50 Small Business Blogs 2018
Best Small Business Blogs
BizHumm Top 100 Business Blog Award to Barbara Weltman
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2017 (link will open in a new window or tab)
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2016 (link will open in a new window or tab)

Footer

Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Small business ideas, business tax news and small business consulting from Barbara Weltman to provide business owners with the information they need to succeed. Visit our small business blog, Idea of The Day®, small business books and articles on small business taxes, small business finance and small business legal advice.

Contact Us

[email protected]

(772) 492-9593

gacor maxwin situs slot thailand terpercaya situs slot gacor situs gacor akun pro thailand slot bandar togel terpercaya

Latest Tweets

bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 3

SHRM 25 Day 3: The 3 Best Ways to Be an HR Hero to Your Employees - HR Daily Advisor https://bit.ly/4kj7fiR #workplace #smallbusiness

Reply on Twitter 1940901469160444029 Retweet on Twitter 1940901469160444029 Like on Twitter 1940901469160444029 Twitter 1940901469160444029
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 3

AI job predictions become corporate America's newest competitive sport | TechCrunch https://tcrn.ch/3ZXO9r9 #hiring #smallbusiness

Reply on Twitter 1940848348702924990 Retweet on Twitter 1940848348702924990 Like on Twitter 1940848348702924990 Twitter 1940848348702924990
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 3

5 Insurance Traps to Avoid - #Smallbusinessowners need to know
https://bit.ly/44atilz #smallbusiness #insurance #workplace #BOP

Reply on Twitter 1940826898348527629 Retweet on Twitter 1940826898348527629 Like on Twitter 1940826898348527629 1 Twitter 1940826898348527629
Load More

Copyright © 2008–2025 Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc  |  Designed by Hudson Fusion

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap