The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) thinks so. In May, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a ruling that increases data transparency by making information about workplace injuries and illnesses available online. They say that sharing this kind of information publicly helps “reduce work-related injuries and illnesses.”
The new rule takes effect on January 1, 2017. It requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness data that they are already required to record on the OSHA 300A form. OSHA will analyze the data and post some of it to the OSHA website. According to OSHA, “public disclosure will encourage employers to improve workplace safety and provide valuable information to workers, job seekers, customers, researchers and the general public.”
For more information on the new reporting requirements that will be phased in over the next two years, click here.