OSHA Extends Comment Period on Rule for Workplace Injury and Illness Tracking
WASHINGTON, DC – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses to October 14, 2014. The proposal, published on November 8, 2013, would amend the agency’s recordkeeping regulation to add requirements for the electronic submission of injury and illness information that employers are already required to keep.
During the public meeting held on the proposal, many participants expressed concern that the proposal may create motivation for employers to under-record injuries and illnesses, since each covered establishment’s injury and illness data would become publicly available on OSHA’s website. Participants also expressed concern that the proposal would lead to an increase in the number of employers who adopt practices that discourage employees from reporting recordable injuries and illnesses. OSHA is concerned that the accuracy of the data collected under the new proposal could be compromised if employers adopt these practices.