OSHA Issues Final Rule on Electronic Workplace Injuries and Illness Reporting
February 27, 2019

On January 25, 2019, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration ("OSHA") issued its final rule on the Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses.

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OSHA Clarifies Employers' Recordkeeping Obligations
January 03, 2017

In the final days of the Obama Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule that "clarifies" its position that an employer's duty to record work-related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing obligation that continues for the full five-year record retention period.

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NEW OSHA REPORTING RULE
June 28, 2016

By August 10, 2016, employers must amend their injury and illness policies to (a) expressly state that employees have a right to report work-related injuries and illnesses, (b) provide a reasonable procedure for employees to report such workplace injuries and illnesses, (c) not deter or discourage employees from reporting such injuries and illnesses, and (d) assure employees that the employer will not discriminate against nor retaliate against them for making such reports.

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OSHA Takes Hard Stance Against Automatic Post-Injury Drug Testing Policies
June 20, 2016

Under the Occupation Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) new rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, many employers risk citation by OSHA for post-injury drug testing policies that were once encouraged by courts and federal agencies, but might now be prohibited.

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OSHA launches Whistleblower-Severe Violator pilot program
June 15, 2016

OSHA has launched a pilot enforcement program focused on employers who repeatedly and willfully disregard the rights of whistleblowers. OSHA's Whistleblower-Severe Violator Enforcement Program became effective on May 27, covering employers in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, and those companies under federal enforcement in Iowa.

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OSHA'S FINAL RULE TO 'NUDGE' EMPLOYERS TO PREVENT WORKPLACE INJURIES, ILLNESSES
May 11, 2016

OSHA's final rule to 'nudge' employers to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses
New federal requirements take effect August 10, 2016

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OSHA Proposes Rule Clarifying Employers' Obligation to Record Injuries
July 30, 2015

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking July 29, 2015, that seeks to clarify that the duty to record work-related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing obligation throughout the five-year period during which employers are required to keep the records.

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The Heat (APP) Is On!
May 08, 2015

Heat illness sickens thousands of workers every year, and severe cases can be fatal. To help keep outdoor workers cool, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration developed a free app to calculate worksite heat index and risk levels, and educate users about how to respond to a heat emergency. More than 187,000 people have downloaded the app since its 2011 launch. In the app's first big update on May 5, iPhone users discovered new features. With an attractive, easy-to-use interface, the new version is optimized for the latest iPhones. The app automatically provides the current conditions and maximum heat at your location and can accept manual input if users don't have cell service.

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Top 10 OSHA trends to watch in 2014
January 19, 2014

Given the political climate these days in Washington, DC, we decided not to post a list of top OSHA predictions for 2014. But, we are much more confident about sharing our “watch list” concerning OSHA for the upcoming year.

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Acoustical trauma – a particular risk for call center workers
January 19, 2014

Acoustic trauma, also known as acoustic shock, can occur when a person is subjected to an extremely loud noise or series of loud noises such as gun shots, explosions or shouting at very close proximity.

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Proposed amendments to injury and illness recordkeeping rule spark heated debate
January 19, 2014

On January 9 – 10, 2014, OSHA held a public meeting at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. to give stakeholders the opportunity to provide oral remarks on the proposed rule aimed at amending its recordkeeping regulations with requirements for the electronic submission of injury and illness information. According to OSHA, the proposed requirements are not drastically different from the current requirements under the OSHA Data Initiative (ODI) where data is collected on injuries and illnesses from approximately 80,000 employers with 20+ employees and used to target enforcement and compliance assistance activities. However, representatives from businesses and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce beg to differ. The debate over the proposed requirements drew comments from representatives in business, labor, and safety councils and associations, and it was clear — according to our J. J. Keller representative who attended the meeting — that there is a balance of support for and against the proposed rulemaking.

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Top ten Facility Safety stories of 2013
January 05, 2014

West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion is biggest story on ISHN.com

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