Before OSHA was created 43 years ago, an estimated 14,000 workers were killed on the job every year. Today, workplaces are much safer and healthier, but there is still much work to be done.
A rule designed to improve workplace safety utilizing the concept of behavioral economics has been finalized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The rule requires employers to submit workplace injury information to OSHA, which will post the data to a website. This public disclosure of workplace injury information will allow employees and potential future hires to examine the safety record of a business.
The idea behind the public posting of the data is to encourage workplace safety in a similar manner to how the posting of restaurant inspection grades encourages food safety. OSHA believes that high workplace injury rates are a sign of bad management. Businesses that do not have the best safety records will work to improve their record, if only to be in line with their competitors. OSHA’s new rules also makes sure that employers remind workers that reporting work injuries is a right and can be done without fear of retaliation.
OSHA wants complete data regarding workplace injuries to help researchers study the causes of workplace injury. With the data, OSHA hopes to identify best practices in preventing injuries and illnesses and to also remove unexpected hazards in the workplace before they become commonplace. Very few data about work injuries is currently published. The new OSHA rule aims to change that.
See the finalized rule here.
Any steps that may help reduce the number of workplace injuries is a positive step. Over three million workers are injured every year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bringing that number down is a lofty goal that should be supported. If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at (800) 333-0000 for a free consultation. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys have extensive experience with the workers’ compensation system and in assuring that work comp clients receive the help they need.