OSHA announces proposed new rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses
OSHA today issued a proposed rule to improve workplace safety and health through improved tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. The announcement follows the Bureau of Labor Statistics' release of its annual Occupational Injuries and Illnesses report, which estimates that three million workers were injured on the job in 2012.
"Three million injuries are three million too many," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels, who added that inspections aren’t enough to ensure that U.S. workplaces are reducing hazards.
“OSHA is a small agency. With our state partners, we have about 2400 inspectors to cover almost eight million workplaces. It would take us close to 100 years to inspect every workplace once.”