OSHA to target employers with injury, illness rates ‘markedly below’ industry averages

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it has updated a targeted inspection program that targets nonconstruction employers with high injury rates to now include those with injury and illness rates “markedly below” industry averages.

OSHA uses injury and illness data from 300A forms submitted to comply with OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements, of which underreporting is considered a violation of workplace safety mesasures.

OSHA said that using OSHA Form 300A data from calendar years 2021-2023, establishments with 20 or more employees may be selected for inspection based on high injury and illness rates from 2023 data; upwardly trending injury and illness rates based on 2021-2023 data at or above twice the 2022 private sector average; injury and illness rates markedly below industry averages; and failure to submit such forms.