It’s a matter of trust. Safety-related problems are trust-busters for businesses like Toyota.
We live in the age of brand power. And for some safety and health pros, that’s a distinct advantage.
Your concern regarding the underreporting of accidents and injuries is a concern. You have a valid point. However, there are compounding issues related to this underreporting, one of which is OSHA’s interpretation of what is reportable has gone to extreme.
Workers are encouraged to speak up, stand up, when they know of OSHA recordkeeping abuses. When they are pressured to hide minor injuries so company safety goals can be met, and incentive rewards doled out. But it takes a lot of guts.
OSHA’s web site is now designed to bring front and center focus to worker fatalities. Weekly fatality reports name names: the employers who reported (as mandated) job-related deaths to the agency. A brief summary of the incident is included. But is anyone reading these reports?
One of Hank Williams’ classic songs is “I’m so lonesome I could cry.” A review of fatalities reported to OSHA shows that many deaths are lonesome experiences.
OSHA held an hour-long live webinar Q&A December 7 after the release of its latest regulatory agenda. But acting OSHA chief Jordan Barab, who answered the questions, had the benefit of handling only written questions, submitted in advance or during the Q&A.
The long wait is over. Last night, the U.S. Senate officially confirmed David Michaels, Ph.D, MPH, as assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health.
The irresistible force of 20+ years of organized labor’s pent-up demand for OSHA action will meet the immovable object of organized business resistance.
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