New Workplace Injury Rules Now in Effect

Following delays due to a legal challenge, provisions of a new Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) record-keeping rule took effect on December 1. Employers must now inform employees about their right to report workplace injuries and illness without facing retaliation. Online reporting provisions took effect January 1st.

The new rule also prohibits automatic post-accident drug testing. Employers must now have a reasonable suspicion that drug use was a contributing factor to a reported injury. Policies clarifying such conditions are encouraged.

Additional details are available on OSHA’s website.