Although there is a seven thousand dollar per injury penalty for failure to report workplace injuries promptly, a recent report by the United State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that only about half of the severe injuries that occur in American workplaces are reported within the required period. This figure, on its own, may seem concerning. However, OSHA has looked into the matter and found that the truth is not as alarming as it might seem just from looking at the numbers.
Why aren’t businesses reporting injuries to OSHA as required by law? It is possible that some businesses do not realize that the reporting rules changed recently. Recent changes to the reporting requirements went into effect in January of 2015, but not all of the reporting requirements changed. For example, the 2015 changes do not affect previous requirements to report any work-related fatality within eight hours. The changes do add a requirement that any work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations or eye loss be reported to OSHA within 24 hours. Also, some small businesses were exempt from reporting requirements before the 2015 changes and may not know that there are now reporting rules that apply to them. Companies with fewer than ten people do not have to keep OSHA records, but under the new rules, they do have to report fatalities, hospitalizations, amputations, and eye loss. The general sentiment from OSHA is that most of the failures to report injuries are not intentional. That said, companies do have a responsibility to know what the rules are, know which rules apply to them, and follow the applicable rules. OSHA makes information about reporting rules available through many different means, and it is surprising that more businesses are not aware of them.
Representatives from OSHA have stated that the additional information that is coming to them as the result of the newly added requirements helps them respond to media inquiries regarding workplace injuries as well as helping them follow up with companies to ensure that dangerous conditions are corrected promptly. OSHA believes that the more inclusive reporting requirements for workplace accidents will significantly enhance the agency’s ability to direct its resources where they could save the most lives or prevent the most injuries or illnesses. The new reporting rules are also aimed at giving employees, employers, the public, and researchers greater access to information about workplace health and safety.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Injured Workers and Their Families Heal
The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC dedicate themselves to meeting the needs of injured workers and their families. If you or someone in your family got hurt at work, get help from a knowledgeable attorney right away. Your worker’s compensation attorney can help you understand what is happening at every stage of the worker’s compensation case process so that you are not left wondering what is going on with your case. Do you have questions about worker’s compensation claims in Mississippi? Please call the experienced Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free consultation.