OSHA has agreed to make the work-related injury and illness records of 237,000 employers available to advocacy group Public Citizen, following a two-year court battle.
Public Citizen used the Freedom of Information Act to request the information, which is recorded on OSHA Form 300A, but OSHA withheld the records, claiming they contained confidential information exempt from disclosure.
In June, a U.S. District Court judge recommended the court rule in Public Citizen’s favor, finding the records weren’t confidential, according to a news release from the organization.
OSHA had until July 21 to object to the recommendation, but instead of objecting, the agency agreed to produce the records in full by Aug. 18.
In a similar case in June, another U.S. District Court judge rejected OSHA’s confidentiality argument in a suit filed by the Center for Investigative Reporting over access to Form 300A records, finding the records public information.
Webinar on OSHA recordkeeping
With the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacting the re-start of US business operations and putting employees at risk, OSHA has developed interim guidance for enforcing the recording of occupational illnesses. This time-limited OSHA memorandum will remain in effect until further notice.
It is vital that safety managers and employers understand these changes, and how to adapt their practices. Join us for this can’t-miss, 60-minute workshop to discover:
- The OSHA interim COVID-19 recordkeeping memorandum and its impact
- The regulatory requirements for reporting and recording “Work at Home” cases
- 2021 deadlines for posting and submitting summary information electronically
- Critical definitions including the work environment and recordkeeping exceptions
- Keys to complying with electronic reporting of injury requirements.
