With workers in all industries often at risk of injury, employers need to take strong measures to reduce hazards by following government guidelines. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration recently announced a final rule that could contribute to better reporting. This motion doesn't call for new measures so much as increased transparency, expanding and adjusting what companies were already required to report.
A key part of following OSHA guidelines can be updating technology to make sure that all cases are accounted for. Part of the update will see the organization create an injury data set to spur on better research.
Most of the rule itself will take effect on January 1, 2017, with some sections only becoming active a certain period after the rule is published. Employers will be subject to different paperwork demands based on how many workers they manage.
"The new requirement should encourage workers to seriously address safety issues."
According to Dr. David Michaels, OSHA's Assistant Secretary for Labor, the new requirement should encourage these employers to seriously address safety issues.
"Since high injury rates are a sign of poor management, no employer wants to be seen publicly as operating a dangerous workplace," Michaels said in a news release. "Our new reporting requirements will 'nudge' employers to prevent worker injuries and illnesses to demonstrate to investors, job seekers, customers and the public that they operate safe and well-managed facilities."
OSHA predicts the new electronic submission requirements will cost businesses $11.8 million. Although it wasn't able to list the projected annual benefits, the agency said these would be higher than any of the expected associated costs.
For commercial diving contractors, following best practices and government regulations may lead to better injury awareness. As an addition to that, these employers should also consider proper insurance for divers that respects their risks.