The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has stated its intent to begin crafting a rule that will require covered employers to implement an injury and illness prevention program. OSHA hopes this new rule will help employers find and fix hazards in their workplaces.

OSHA has stressed that this program is not meant to be a “one-size-fits-all” requirement. Instead, to comply with the rule, employers will have to tailor their own program to the size and nature of their workplace. The motivation for passing this rule came from a Bureau of Labor Statistics study that found preventable injuries and illnesses cost American businesses about $1 billion per week. Violations of this new rule will only stem from employers’ failure to implement an injury and illness prevention program – all other OSHA rules be enforced normally.

For more information on this OSHA proposal and to learn about how you can participate in the rule making process, visit: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/safetyhealth/index.html#stakeholder

If you have questions about your company’s compliance with OSHA regulations, feel free to contact DLM Legal for guidance at 216.635.0002 or info@dlmlegal.com.