The term “bloody pocket syndrome” has been around for a long time, but there is still plenty of debate about how to prevent it. Bloody pocket syndrome refers to employees hiding their injuries (such as shoving an injured hand into a pocket to conceal it from a supervisor) to avoid missing out on a prize or other incentive. The behavior demonstrates what can happen when workplace safety incentive programs go awry, putting pressure on employees to keep workplace injuries to themselves.
The issue was a favorite of former OSHA head Dr. David Michaels, who spearheaded the effort to address the role of workplace incentive programs in underreporting employee injuries. In fact, under Michaels’ leadership, OSHA’s 2016 Final Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses practically removed workplace safety incentive programs from the safety manager’s arsenal. OSHA argued, “Such programs might be well-intentioned efforts by employers to encourage their workers to use safe practices. However, if the programs are not structured carefully, they have the potential to discourage reporting of work-related injuries and illnesses without improving workplace safety.” (81 FR 29623)