In November 2013, OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking, “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” to add electronic recordkeeping requirements that would require certain employers to electronically submit to OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping information on a quarterly and/or annual basis. Additionally, the proposed rule would establish a public searchable website where OSHA…

Under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 OSHA is required to increase civil penalties for the first time since 1990 and a one-time catch-up adjustment will occur in August 2016. Penalties are expected to be increased by roughly 80 percent, meaning a serious citation of $7,000 may now be $12,500 and a $70,000 willful violation…

In a recent interpretation letter, an employer posed the following scenario and question to OSHA:

As the result of a workplace accident resulting in an injury to an employee that required medical treatment, a post-accident drug and alcohol test was administered. The alcohol test revealed the injured employee was intoxicated. “Does this injury meet…

As of January 1, 2015, employers have been required to report any work-related amputation, in-patient hospitalization, or loss of an eye to OSHA within 24 hours of the incident. Fatalities must be reported within 8 hours.  OSHA hoped that these requirements would have the following two consequences:

1. The reporting requirements would allow their resources to

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In 2010, OSHA issued a proposed rule reducing the permissible exposure level (PEL) for crystalline silica for general industry and construction.  The proposed rule cut the respirable silica PEL from 100 µg/m³  for an 8-hour time weighted average to 50 µg/m³. After public hearings and public comments were submitted on the proposed…

Shortly before OSHA’s new injury and illness reporting requirements came into effect last January, OSHA issued “Interim Enforcement Procedures for New Reporting Requirements under 29 C.F.R. 1904.39.” These interim procedures served as enforcement guidance for Area Offices and compliance officers when issuing citations to employers for failing to report injuries under the new requirements. Last…

Reminder: IF your company is subject to OSHA’s Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements, you must post “in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted” OSHA’s Form 300A (summary of job-related illnesses and injuries) for the previous year.  The posting period runs from February 1 through April 30.  If you…

Authored by: Linda Otaigbe

The Obama administration has requested an increase in funding for both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) for fiscal year (“FY”) 2017. In the February 9, 2016 budget request, the administration proposes that OSHA receive $595 million in FY 2017, which…