New OSHA Rule Effective January 1, 2017 Hits Big Companies First

Matt OlphinBusiness Insurance, Human Resources, Risk Management

New reporting regulations are effective January 1, 2017. What has to be published? According to OSHA as of “Jan. 1, 2017, [OSHA]requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness data that they are already required to record on their onsite OSHA Injury and Illness forms.” This is covered employers who have 250 or more employees. According to the guidance: OSHA will provide a secure website that offers three options for data submission. First, users will be able to manually enter data into a webform. Second, users will be able to upload a CSV file to process single or multiple establishments at the same time. Last, users of automated recordkeeping systems will have the ability to transmit data electronically via …

OSHA Final Rule – Electronic Recordkeeping & Retaliation Free Employee Reporting

Matt OlphinHuman Resources, Risk Management

Anti-Retaliation Provisions and Impact on Post Accident Drug Testing Effective today – December 1, 2016, the anti-retaliation provisions of OSHA’s recent Electronic Recordkeeping final rule go into effect. The recent court challenge, brought by numerous companies and industry groups, to the anti-retaliation provisions of this final rule was not successful. The injunction blocking the anti-retaliation provisions from becoming effective today was denied. That does not mean the court challenge to this final rule was lost. We will continue to monitor the issue. Perhaps the most hotly contested anti-retaliation provision is that OSHA may view blanket post-accident drug testing programs as retaliation against injured workers for reporting injuries. OSHA does not have issue with post-accident drug testing when required by law, …