How does OSHA intend to use the data?

OSHA says that electronic submission of establishment-specific injury and illness data will enable the agency to use its enforcement and compliance assistance resources more efficiently. Analysis of the data will improve OSHA’s ability to identify, target, and remove safety and health hazards, thereby preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

Be aware that OSHA will make the injury and illnesses information it receives public on its website on an annual basis. While OSHA will remove all personally identifiable information associated with the data before it is publicly accessible, establishment name and address will be part of the public record. The agency says that public disclosure is a way to “nudge” employers to reduce injuries and illnesses in their workplaces, and will enable employers to benchmark their safety and health performance against industry leaders to improve their own safety programs.

Further, the data will also allow researchers to better study injury causation, identify new workplace safety hazards before they become widespread, and evaluate the effectiveness of injury and illness prevention activities.