Low injury reporting

The current national surveillance system for work-related injuries and illnesses may miss two-thirds of the total number, according to a Michigan State University study, the Confined Space blog reports.

“We estimate that the number of work-related injuries and illnesses in Michigan is three times greater than the official estimate derived from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) annual survey,” says Dr. Kenneth Rosenman, the MSU researcher.

Dr. Rosenman blames the problem on employees who aren’t counted, including government employees from 26 states without OSHA coverage and self employed workers and farmers from farms with less than 11 employees.

But the blog also attributes the problem to employer negligence. “While it is illegal for an employer to refuse to list a reported injury or illness, we have seen employers use a variety of means to discourage workers from reporting injuries or illnesses,” it says. “Behavioral and safety incentive programs that reward workers who don’t report injuries are one way to keep reporting down. Disciplining ‘unsafe workers’ who report injuries is another method employers use to discourage workers from reporting injuries.”

Employers seek to keep injuries low to avoid OSHA inspections. “OSHA currently bases its inspection targeting on employer self-reporting. Low number of injuries and illnesses mean a smaller chance of being inspected,” the blog states.