Final answer:
Employers must report work-related injuries to their insurance carrier within a timeframe mandated by state regulations or their insurance policy, which can vary. OSHA sets specific reporting requirements for severe injuries. Employers must also perform a range of other safety and reporting responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
An employer's responsibility to report injuries to their insurance carrier when they become aware of an injury can vary based on jurisdiction and specific insurance policies. However, a common practice is for employers to report work-related injuries and illnesses in a reasonably prompt manner. Specific timelines, such as 24-hour or 48-hour reporting, can be mandated by certain regulations or insurance carriers. It's important to refer to the worker's compensation insurance regulations in your state as well as your insurance policy for the exact timeframe. Employers have various responsibilities, such as providing safety training, keeping accurate records, and adhering to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, like notifying OSHA within certain timeframes for severe injuries or fatalities.
For example, OSHA requires employers to notify them within eight hours of a workplace fatality and within 24 hours of all work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye. It is also required for employers to not retaliate against workers for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses. More comprehensive requirements, like advance notice for plant closings or mass layoffs under the WARN Act, apply to employers with more than 100 employees. Employers must also provide the necessary protective equipment and perform workplace tests as required.