Electronic injury submission in the final stages
- OSHA wants to change how workplaces submit annual injury and illness data.
- Under a new proposal, the agency would require companies with 100 or more employees in designated industries to submit Forms 300, 301, and 300A annually.
- The firms in those same industries with 20 or more employees would need to submit only Form 300A under the proposal.
- Under OSHA’s current rules, companies with 250 or more employees and those with 20-plus employees in certain high-hazard industries must submit Form 300A.
Workplace violence and harassment remain a huge concern
- Workers worldwide have endured workplace violence or harassment, but only about half of the victims disclosed those incidents, according to the International Labor Organization, Lloyd.
- Many of these workers viewed disclosure as a “waste of time,” feared their reputation, or were unclear about workplace practices,.
- The survey showed that 22.8% of the respondents experienced at least one form of violence or harassment.
- Of those who endured the violence, 31.8% indicated they faced multiple forms of incidents.
OSHA, MSHA get smaller budgets
- OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration will receive modest budget increases for 2023 that are less than the amounts initially proposed by Congress and the White House.
- OSHA is set to receive around $632.3 million for fiscal year 2023, an increase of about $20 million, or 3.3%, from FY 2022.
- The Senate proposed $679.8 million for the agency in its Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, released in July.
- MSHA is getting a $4 million, or a 1%, budget increase, to about $387.8 million, in 2023.
Workplace ventilation key during cold weather
- OSHA issued an about improving workplace ventilation during the cold winter months and emphasized indoor air quality during cold weather and how it is especially critical when it comes to illnesses.
- Companies should inspect air intake and exhaust ports to ensure they are clean and free of ice or snow.
- Filter replacement is necessary to ensure the proper function of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
- Firms should add portable air cleaners with HEPA filters in spaces with high occupancy or limited ventilation.