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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.