By Donna Lee Gardner
Electronic Submission of Injury and Illness Records (How the New Rules Benefit Employees and Employers) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) decision to modify its recordkeeping rules has three tangible benefits for you and your employees.
1. Personal Information Privacy for Workers
Injured workers will no longer have to worry about their personal information being publicly disclosed because an illness or injury was reported to OSHA. This significantly reduces the chances of identity theft and prioritizes your employees’ privacy rights.
2. Less Required Documentation for Employers
OSHA recognized the reporting burden on employers was too heavy considering the uncertain benefits of collecting the information in the first place. Submitting multiple forms electronically takes time and effort. This will allow you to focus on the health and safety of your employees instead of the tedious task of filling out digital submission forms.
3. New Safety Programs
OSHA realized its existing, rigorous recordkeeping rules were not cost-effective as they diverted the agency’s resources away from important workplace safety initiatives. This rule amendment will create a net economic cost savings of $8.75 million per year. This cost savings will be reinvested toward expanding OSHA’s safety education and outreach programs.
A Safe Workplace Is Sound Business
OSHA has recently updated the Guidelines for Safety and Health Programs it released 30 years ago to reflect changes in the economy, workplaces, and evolving safety and health issues. The new recommended practices have been well received by a wide variety of stakeholders and are designed to be used in a wide variety of small and medium-sized business settings. The recommended practices present a step-by-step approach to implementing a safety and health program built around seven core elements that make up a successful program.
The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and employers. The recommended practices use a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health. Traditional approaches are often reactive: problems are addressed only after a worker is injured or becomes sick, a new standard or regulation is published, or an outside inspection finds a problem that must be fixed. These recommended practices recognize finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury or illness is a far more effective approach.
The idea is to begin with a basic program and simple goals and grow from there. If you focus on achieving goals, monitoring performance, and evaluating outcomes, your workplace can progress along the path to higher levels of safety and health achievement.
Employers will find implementing these practices brings other benefits. Safety and health programs help businesses:
- Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
- Improve compliance with laws and regulations
- Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
- Engage workers
- Enhance their social responsibility goals
- Increase productivity and enhance operations
U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Issues Rule to Revise Requirements in Safety and Health Standards
OSHA issued a final rule that revises 14 provisions in the recordkeeping, general industry, maritime, and construction standards that may be confusing, outdated, or unnecessary. The revisions are expected to increase understanding and compliance with the provisions, improve employee safety and health, and save employers an estimated $6.1 million per year.
Gardner
NAOHP/Ryan
Associates
OSHA proposed the changes in October 2016. This is the fourth final rule under OSHA’s Standards Improvement Project, which began in 1995 in response to a presidential memorandum to improve government regulations. Other revisions were issued in 1998, 2005, and 2011.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, Education, and assistance. For more information, visit osha.gov. ←
