The provisions, postponed until January 1, 2003, are:

• the criteria for recording work-related hearing loss;
• the rule's definition of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD); and
• the requirement that employers check the MSD column on the OSHA log.

All other provisions of the rule, which is designed to increase employee involvement, create simpler forms and give employers more flexibility to use computers to meet OSHA regulatory requirements, become effective on January 1, 2002.

OSHA will issue new recordkeeping forms that have been changed to remove the MSD and hearing loss columns from the OSHA 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses and the OSHA 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. The instructions accompanying the forms have also been modified to reflect the requirements that will take effect in calendar year 2002.

Copies of the forms can be obtained on OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha.gov or from the OSHA publications office.

OSHA has launched a new page on its Web site to help employers and workers understand the new recordkeeping rule changes. The page is at http://www.osha-slc.gov/recordkeeping/index.html.

Information on OSHA's decision to delay the effective date regarding hearing loss and MSD issues is published in the October 12, Federal Register.