Yearly the US Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an annual report on workplace accidents, injuries and fatalities. The media has reported that the statical analysis is flawed due to worker hesitation to report events.
Many injured workers report that they fear that they will be threatened or humiliated by their employers if they report events at work. Worker safety is critical and when it is lacking the injured worker, the employer and the Nation suffers.
David Michaels, The Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the tone and vision of the New OSHA at a recent speech at a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Program, "Going Green.'"Michael's said:
"As you may be aware, numerous studies and Congressional hearings have cast serious doubt on the accuracy of workplace injury and illness reporting.
"A recent Government Accountability Office study confirmed those problems, but also noted serious concerns about incentive and disciplinary programs that discourage workers from reporting injuries and illnesses.
"Most upsetting was a GAO finding that a high percentage of health care providers reported being pressured by employers to under-diagnose and under-treat workers and otherwise manipulate information to avoid reporting injuries and illnesses on the OSHA log. This is irresponsible and unacceptable.
"To ensure the accuracy of injury and illness numbers, OSHA has launched a focused National Emphasis Program. We'll also take a hard look at incentive and disciplinary programs to ensure that they do not discourage workers from reporting.
"Ultimately, of course, counting injuries, illnesses and fatalities is counting failure. The more we design safety into the workplace the less we'll have to worry about injury and illness statistics."
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