1910.502(r): Report COVID-19 Deaths and Hospitalizations
Employers must report each work-related COVID-19 fatality to OSHA within 8 hours, and each work-related COVID-19 in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours, of learning about it. Reports must follow 29 CFR 1904.39, except for 1904.39(a)(1) and (2) and (b)(6).
Key takeaways
- 1910.502(r) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart U).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $450 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.502(r)(1) (1 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.502(r) ("Reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations to OSHA") is one requirement inside 1910.502 Healthcare, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart U). It includes 4 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(r) Reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations to OSHA. 1 citations
(1) The employer must report to OSHA: Open (r)(1) 1 citations
(i) Each work-related COVID-19 fatality within 8 hours of the employer learning about the fatality.
(ii) Each work-related COVID-19 in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours of the employer learning about the in-patient hospitalization. Open (r)(1)(ii) 1 citations
(2) When reporting COVID-19 fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations to OSHA in accordance with paragraph (r)(1) of this section, the employer must follow the requirements in 29 CFR 1904.39, except for 29 CFR 1904.39(a)(1) and (2) and (b)(6).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.502.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.502(r).
The employee worked as a paramedic on an ambulance. The employee was directly exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient on September 27, 2023, during patient transport. The employee exhibited COVID-19 symptoms on October 10, 2023 and tested COVID-19 positive on October 11, 2023. The employee…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.502(r)(1) 1 citations
- 1910.502(r)(1)(ii) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How fast must a COVID-19 death be reported?
Within 8 hours of the employer learning about the fatality.
How fast must a hospitalization be reported?
Within 24 hours of the employer learning about the in-patient hospitalization.
Which reporting rules apply?
29 CFR 1904.39, except for 1904.39(a)(1) and (2) and (b)(6).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.502 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.