Running a small business means every decision counts. That’s especially true when it comes to workplace safety. A single OSHA-recordable injury can disrupt operations, increase insurance costs, and put your business at risk. At WorkCare, we know prevention isn’t just about compliance. It is about protecting your people and strengthening your business.

Recent changes in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s penalty structure reinforces this point. Small employers can qualify for penalty reductions of up to 60% if they demonstrate good faith and correct hazards quickly. But the bigger win isn’t a reduced fine—it’s avoiding the incident altogether. That’s where proactive strategies and the right health and safety support make the difference.

How Does OSHA Determine Who is a Small Business? 

OSHA generally relies on the Small Business Administration (SBA)size standards, which vary by industry and are typically based on either number of employees or annual revenue.

SOURCE: Small Business Administration

Why OSHA Recordables Hit Small Employers Hard

Smaller companies often don’t have full-time safety staff or dedicated EHS teams. That makes each recordable incident more costly, triggering:

• Higher workers’ compensation premiums
• Lost productivity and overtime costs
• Time-consuming case management and reporting
• Strain on employee trust and retention

The solution isn’t complicated. With practical tools and expert guidance like those provided by WorkCare, small businesses can make meaningful changes that directly reduce OSHA recordables.

OSHA’s Penalty Reductions for Small Employers

OSHA’s penalty framework recognizes that small employers face unique challenges. But citation reductions only apply when there is evidence that safety programs are proactively managed and hazards are promptly addressed to reduce injury risk. Waiting until after an OSHA inspection is conducted or a citation is issued is too late.

WorkCare helps businesses close those gaps before OSHA steps in. By identifying risks early and providing on-site or virtual support, we can help you stay compliant, reduce exposures, and protect your bottom line. With Incident Prevention + Wellness programs and Injury Care with 24/7 telehealth triage, we are poised to help businesses–small and large–make employee health and safety a top priority.

Common Drivers of Recordable Incidents

Across the industries WorkCare serves—including construction, manufacturing, and utilities—most recordable injuries can be traced to:

• Slips, trips, and falls from overlooked hazards
• Overexertion and musculoskeletal injuries without ergonomic support
• Inconsistent or improper PPE use

These incidents are preventable with the right mix of hazard recognition, worker training, and occupational health expertise.

Practical, Cost-Effective Solutions to Reduce Recordables

For small businesses, prevention doesn’t require big budgets. Some of the most effective solutions are also the easiest and most affordable to implement when consistently applied:

• Targeted training and refreshers to keep safety top of mind
• Daily safety checklists to spot and fix hazards quickly
• Employee engagement programs that encourage near-miss reporting
• Workstation and ergonomic adjustments to reduce strain injuries
• Access to occupational health professionals who can triage, advise, and reduce unnecessary recordables

At WorkCare, we provide scalable services that fit small employers whether it’s medical monitoring, injury prevention, or on-site care when needed.

Tap Into OSHA Consultation Programs

Many small businesses don’t realize they have access to the OSHA On-Site Consultation Program and other free, non-punitive state consultation programs. In fact, small business employer may be eligible for another great benefit — recognition for participation in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), which acknowledges small businesses that have used OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program and demonstrate an exemplary safety and health program.

The WorkCare Difference

WorkCare can help you take those insights further with cross-disciplinary services that turn recommendations into measurable results. From compliance audits to tailored wellness programs, we provide the expertise you may not have in-house.

Every dollar invested in workplace health and safety delivers a strong return. For small employers, avoiding even one recordable can protect profitability. WorkCare helps close preparedness gaps, reduce recordables, and improve employee health, safety, and morale—so you can focus on running your business.

Talk with us about how WorkCare can support your small business with proven strategies to reduce OSHA recordables, improve compliance, and protect your people.