A Government Accountability Office report released Nov. 16 is confirming what many occupational safety and health practitioners know -- that
underreporting of injuries and illnesses is a serious and perhaps rampant problem.
OSHA accepted the recommendations in the report, including agreeing to the key GAO suggestion that it require its compliance officers to conduct interviews with workers during workplace recordkeeping inspections. This concession, along with the National Emphasis Program on recordkeeping the agency instituted on Oct. 1 that increases internal resources to address the issue, vastly ups the stakes for employers facing compliance.
The report particularly criticized the practice of “disincentives” that it says many employers have adopted to keep down recorded injuries and illnesses. Some healthcare practitioners told the GAO they were pressured by employers to withhold medical treatment so companies could avoid filing injury reports with OSHA.
“Workers may not report a work-related injury or illness because they fear job loss or other disciplinary action, or fear jeopardizing rewards based on having low injury and illness rates,” the GAO said. “Worker interviews are the only source of information used during the audit not provided by the employer.”
underreporting of injuries and illnesses is a serious and perhaps rampant problem.OSHA accepted the recommendations in the report, including agreeing to the key GAO suggestion that it require its compliance officers to conduct interviews with workers during workplace recordkeeping inspections. This concession, along with the National Emphasis Program on recordkeeping the agency instituted on Oct. 1 that increases internal resources to address the issue, vastly ups the stakes for employers facing compliance.
The report particularly criticized the practice of “disincentives” that it says many employers have adopted to keep down recorded injuries and illnesses. Some healthcare practitioners told the GAO they were pressured by employers to withhold medical treatment so companies could avoid filing injury reports with OSHA.
“Workers may not report a work-related injury or illness because they fear job loss or other disciplinary action, or fear jeopardizing rewards based on having low injury and illness rates,” the GAO said. “Worker interviews are the only source of information used during the audit not provided by the employer.”
OSHA to Explore Incentive Programs
OSHA confirmed to the GAO that the agency does not officially bar incentive programs or practices even if they may affect workers’ decisions to report injuries and illnesses, according to the report. However, an OSHA official said in light of the report that the agency would explore during the recordkeeping NEP the possible impact such programs have on workers' reporting of injuries and illnesses, the GAO said, and cite employers under Occupational Safety and Health Act authority if they discourage inaccurate reporting.
Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis described many of the problems identified in the report as “quite alarming” and promised strong enforcement action when OSHA finds underreporting.
OSHA told the GAO, which provides audits for Congress, that its previous policy on interviewing workers during recordkeeping checks has been optional for inspectors. In a response from OSHA acting administrator Jordan Barab that is contained in the report, Barab said the agency would move quickly to implement the recommendations. Since OSHA was given a copy of the report several weeks ago before it was released publicly Nov. 16, implementing the recommendations is likely already occurring.
Underreporting of injuries and illnesses has emerged as a top-line safety and health issue and has been the subject recent congressional oversight hearings and reporting. The underlying implication contends that data OSHA collects from employers is vastly inaccurate and misleading – leading to underreporting of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Critics have claimed that many severe injuries never make it into the OSHA recordkeeping system, and many have urged that counting be expanded to include other types of data beyond what OSHA complies from employers on OSHA logs, such as hospital or workers’ compensation records. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports annually on data OSHA collects in surveys on work-related injuries and illnesses, but does not verify the accuracy of the data, the GAO said.
Education, Training on Recordkeeping Urged
Among other recommendations, OSHA and the Department of Labor should increase education and training to help employers better understand recordkeeping requirements, the GAO said. Many employers and ind
ustry groups have said the system of recordkeeping is confusing and that may contribute to the undercount.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, chair of the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued a statement that the GAO report means employers cannot be taken “at their word” to substantiate worker injuries and illnesses. Murray, whose subcommittee provides oversight of OSHA, was one of several congressional officials that had requested the report.
ustry groups have said the system of recordkeeping is confusing and that may contribute to the undercount.Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, chair of the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued a statement that the GAO report means employers cannot be taken “at their word” to substantiate worker injuries and illnesses. Murray, whose subcommittee provides oversight of OSHA, was one of several congressional officials that had requested the report.
More: GAO report
Photo: Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA (AP)
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