Companies With High Injury, Illness Rates Receive Letters from OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) chief David Michaels has sent letters to some 14,900 companies with high injury and illness rates to inform them of resources available from the agency.

The benchmark for receiving the letters was an incident rate of two or more injuries or illnesses per 100 workers; the national average is 1.8. To be counted, the injuries or illnesses must result in days away from work, restricted work, or job transfers.

Michael’s letter urged the employers to develop their own safety and health plans, and pointed out that companies with 250 or fewer workers can get assistance from OSHA's free On-Site Consultation Program.

The consultations are separate from any enforcement issues or penalties.