Tuesday, September 2, 2014

OSHA Asks for Feedback on Injury Reporting Rule

©iStockphoto.com/Ulrik
OSHA is currently seeking comment on a proposed rule that would require employers to regularly submit electronic worker injury and illness records. The rule as proposed would only effect employers currently required to keep such records.

The data collected under this rule would become publicly available. OSHA’s rationale is that the move would motivate employers to improve safety efforts. However, some stakeholders have expressed concern that in order to save face, organizations might intentionally adopt practices to discourage injury reporting, by way of either retaliation or “unreasonable” reporting requirements.

To counteract this potential issue, OSHA is seeking comment until Oct. 14 to determine what provisions should be added to make discouraging employee reporting a violation.