Thousands of Workplace Injuries Reported Under New Reporting Requirement

Image from www.dol.gov

The OSH Act has often come under intense criticism as some have argued that there is a lack of enforcement or any meaningful penalties available in the statute.  A recent reporting requirement now highlights just how many workplace accidents are occurring.  Beginning Jan. 1 of last year, employers must report to OSHA any severe injuries that occur in the workplace within 24 hours, which include "hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye".  Per the press release on the DOL's website,

"In the first full year of the program, employers reported 10,388 severe injuries, including 7,636 hospitalizations and 2,644 amputations. In a majority of those cases, OSHA responded by working with the employer to identify and eliminate hazards, rather than conducting a worksite inspection."

The DOL's website also includes a link to the full report on these injuries.  The issue is an important one to follow, as workplace injuries are a critical topic that should be monitored.

- Joe Seiner