On May 12, 2016, federal OSHA published rules in the Federal Register to improve the tracking of 
workplace injuries and illnesses. The new rule requires employers in certain industries to electronically submit illness and injury records to federal OSHA. This final rule becomes effective on January 1, 2017.
In addition to electronic submission, the final rule requires employers to inform employees of their rights to report workplace injuries and illnesses free from retaliation; clarifies the existing implicit requirement that an employer’s procedure for reporting work related injuries and illnesses must be reasonable and not deter or discourage employees from reporting; and incorporates the existing statutory prohibition on retaliating against employees for reporting work-related injuries and illnesses.
OSHA State Plan
States must adopt requirements that are substantially identical to the requirements in this final rule within six months after its publication in the Federal Register. Oregon OSHA has scheduled a meeting to create the opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions, to discuss dates for enforcement of the rules, and to provide Oregon OSHA with information related to the fiscal impact of the implementation of the new rules.
The meeting has been scheduled for August 19, 2016, from 9–11:30 am in the Oregon OSHA Salem Field Office located at 1340 Tandem Ave NE, Suite 160 in Salem.
For more information contact Jeff Wilson, 503-947-7421.