OSHA identifies 14,000 workplaces with high injury and illness rates

Approximately 14,000 employers have been notified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that injury and illness rates at their worksites are higher than average and that assistance is available to help them fix safety and health hazards. OSHA has explained to these employers that the notification was a proactive step to encourage employers to take steps now to reduce those rates and improve the safety and health environment in their workplaces. The identification process by OSHA is meant to raise awareness that injuries and illnesses are high at these facilities. OSHA says its goal is to identify workplaces where injury and illness rates are high, and then to offer assistance to employers so they can address the hazards and reduce occupational injuries and illnesses. Establishments with the nation’s high workplace injury and illness rates were identified by OSHA through employer-reported data from a 2004 survey of 80,000 worksites. The survey consisted of data from calendar year 2003.

Employers receiving the letters were also provided copies of their injury and illness data, along with a list of the most frequently violated OSHA standard for their specific industry. The 14,000 sites are listed alphabetically, by state, on OSHA’s website at: www.osha.gov. The list does not designate those earmarked for any future inspections. An announcement of targeted inspections will be made by OSHA later this year. The sites listed are establishments in states covered by federal OSHA. The list doesn’t include employers in the 21 states and one territory (Puerto Rico) that operate OSHA-approved state plans covering the private sector. OSHA’s data collection initiative is conducted each year to provide the agency with a clearer picture of those establishments with higher-than-average injury and illness rates.

Source: The Insurance Journal