New OSHA Proposal

     On November 7, OSHA proposed a new rule to better track injuries and illnesses in the workplace by electronically reporting them on a quarterly basis.  The proposal does not add any new requirement to keep records; it only modifies an employer's obligation to transmit these records to OSHA.

     The new proposed rule will modify section 1904.

•  The first proposed change is for establishments with more than 250 employees (and who are already required to keep records) to electronically submit the records on a quarterly basis to OSHA. 
• The second proposed change will be that establishments with 20 or more employees, in certain industries with high injury and illness rates, be required to submit electronically only their summary of work-related injuries and illnesses to OSHA once a year.  
• The third proposed change is that OSHA will require all employers who receive notification from OSHA to electronically submit specified information from their section 1904 injury and illness records to OSHA, or OSHA’s designee.

     OSHA plans on posting this data online.  The timely, establishment-specific injury and illness data will help OSHA be more effective by identifying workplaces where injuries and illnesses are more prevalent (which put workers at a greater risk), and enable employers to compare their injury rate to others in the same industry.

     The public will have 90 days, through February 6, 2014, to submit written comments on the proposed rule.  OSHA will hold a public meeting on January 9, 2014 in Washington, D.C.

If you are working in a hazardous environment or are the subject of discrimination, contact Ambuter Law for your free case evaluation.