OSHA Reporting Deadline Checker
Find the deadline to report a fatality, hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss to OSHA.
Reviewed by theComplianceToolsLibrary Editorial Team · Last updated
Key facts
- Fatality
- Report within 8 hours
- Hospitalization, amputation, eye loss
- Report within 24 hours
- How to report
- By phone to OSHA or the area office, or online
- Always required
- Reporting applies even to partially exempt small employers
How fast must you report to OSHA?
Separate from logging injuries, employers must report the most serious work-related events directly to OSHA on a tight clock. A work-related fatality must be reported within 8 hours of learning of it. An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye must be reported within 24 hours.
Reports can be made by phone to the nearest OSHA area office, the 1-800-321-OSHA line, or through OSHA's online form. Importantly, these reporting duties apply to all covered employers — including small and low-hazard employers that are otherwise exempt from keeping the routine 300 log.
How to use this tool
- 1
Identify the event type
Select whether the event was a fatality, hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss.
- 2
Review the deadline
See whether you have 8 or 24 hours to report.
- 3
Note the clock start
The deadline runs from when you learn of the reportable event.
- 4
Report to OSHA
Use the phone or online options to report within the deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the 8-hour fatality deadline with the 24-hour deadline for other events.
- Assuming small-employer recordkeeping exemptions also exempt you from reporting.
- Starting the clock from the incident instead of from when you learned of it.
- Reporting a recordable-but-not-severe injury that doesn't require a report.
What to do next
- Report within the deadline by phone or OSHA's online form.
- Gather event details (who, what, when, where) before reporting.
- Log the case on your 300 log if it's also recordable.
- Review whether the injury is recordable with the OSHA Recordability Checker.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How quickly must I report a workplace fatality to OSHA?
Within 8 hours of learning of a work-related fatality.
What's the deadline to report a hospitalization or amputation?
Within 24 hours of learning of a work-related in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye.
How do I report a severe injury to OSHA?
By calling the nearest OSHA area office, the 1-800-321-OSHA line, or using OSHA's online reporting form.
Do reporting rules apply to small employers?
Yes. Even employers exempt from routine recordkeeping must report fatalities and severe injuries.
Related tools
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