Employers are required to report fatalities and serious injuries to Cal/OSHA as soon as possible, but no later than 8 hours after the incident. Not doing so is a violation and can result in significant fines. Report such incidents to EH&S as soon as possible.
On weekends, holidays, and evenings, report serious employee workplace fatalities, injuries requiring hospitalization or an ambulance to the University Police Department at 415.338.2222. UPD will contact EH&S immediately so the incident can be reported to Cal/OSHA within the time limit.
A serious work-related injury or illness is defined as one involving one or more of the following:
- inpatient hospitalization, regardless of length of time, for other than medical observation or diagnostic testing;
- amputation;
- loss of an eye; or
- serious degree of permanent disfigurement.
The following types of incidents that result in a serious injury, illness, or death have been added to the reporting requirement:
- Accidents that occur in a construction zone on a public street or highway
- Work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths caused by the commission of a Penal Code violation (e.g. workplace violence)
Note: An injury or death caused by an accident on a public street or highway (not in a construction zone) is still exempt from this reporting requirement.
A serious work-related exposure is defined as an exposure to a hazardous substance that occurs as a result of an incident, accident, emergency, or exposure over time and is in a degree or amount sufficient to create a realistic possibility that death or serious physical harm in the future could result from the actual hazard created by the exposure.
The university can make the report by telephone or email to the nearest enforcement district office.
An online mechanism may be established by Cal/OSHA in the future.
Note: If the employer can demonstrate that exigent circumstances exist, the time frame for the report may be made no longer than 24 hours after the incident.
8 CCR 324, requires that employers report fatalities, serious injuries and illnesses to Cal/OSHA immediately. The information below, if available, must be provided as part of the report:
(1) Time and date of accident.
(2) Employer's name, address and telephone number.
(3) Name and job title, or badge number of person reporting the accident.
(4) Address of site of accident or event.
(5) Name of person to contact at site of accident.
(6) Name and address of injured employee(s).
(7) Nature of injury.
(8) Location where injured employee(s) was (were) moved to.
(9) List and identity of other law enforcement agencies present at the site of accident.
(10) Description of accident and whether the accident scene or instrumentality has been altered.