In an effort to gain further insights into MSD (musculoskeletal disorder) injuries in the workplace, a category of injury currently considered underreported, OSHA is proposing a change to the workplace injury recordkeeping OSHA 300 Log-the addition of a column for MSDs specifically. Currently, MSDs are difficult to identify through the log, with no single column allotted.
Clearly, for employers, reporting practices may change. In the bigger picture, however, it sounds like David Michaels, new Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, is interested in creating tighter regulations around MSD injuries and prevention in the workplace.
Click here to submit a comment to the hearing committee prior to March 15.
Here’s
an interesting editorial piece from the NY Times on Obama’s nomination of David
Michaels for the head of OSHA. It references an article (page 10)
written by Michaels himself in December.
I’m excited about this nomination! Michaels seems interested
in promoting a “culture” of safety, and restoring the government’s progress in
improving workers' safety—if his nomination is confirmed by the senate, we may
see changes in many companies’ injury prevention planning.