OSHA Proposes New Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries

The other week, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) heard testimony on improving the tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. These changes will directly benefits the workers in high-hazard industries. The proposed rule would require all workplaces with 250 or more employees to electronically send all of their injury and illness data to OSHA on a quarterly basis. The improved system will also required workplaces in which there is a high injury and illness rate with more than 20 employees to electronically send their annual summary data to OSHA once a year. This proposal will improve workplace safety and health through the collection of the injury and illness data that OSHA would have access to on a regular basis. Currently, OSHA does not receive any data electronically regarding workplace injuries or illnesses. This results in the agency having to rely on data that is over a year old when attempting to respond to hazardous work environments. Therefore, there is no quick response and solution to the problem on OSHA’s part. However, OSHA has faced strong opposition to their proposal. Spokespersons from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are opposed to the change to modernize and track workplace injuries and illnesses because they complain that business would be “named and shamed” in the media, by labor unions and occupational safety and health researchers for publishing injury and illness rates on the Internet. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured on the job, Finkelstein & Partners can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Read more on this article.