OSHA to Post Injury Records
May 23, 2016 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
On May 11, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final regulation that will require employers to submit to OSHA their injury and illness records electronically. OSHA will then post those records on the internet. The regulation also includes provisions to prohibit employers from discouraging employees from reporting injuries. The final regulation is available on OSHA’s website and will take effect January 1, 2017.
IPC filed comments expressing concern with the proposed rule, stating that the proposed rule would have unintended consequences and fail to improve workplace safety.
Under the proposed rule, companies with more than 250 employees will report annually, instead of the proposed quarterly reporting. However, companies with 250 or more employees must electronically submit to OSHA injury and illness information from OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301. Establishments with 20-249 employees in certain industries, which includes all manufacturing sectors, must electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A only.
Under the whistleblower protections of Section 11(c), OSHA is granting itself the authority to issue a citation where they believe an employer has suppressed an employee from reporting an injury, regardless of whether an employee has filed a whistleblower claim. This directly contradicts the statute. This will be the mechanism for OSHA to go after safety incentive programs as OSHA believes these suppress employees from coming forward.
Suggested Items
IPC Japan Puts More Focus on Collaboration, Standards Development, Advanced Packaging
11/26/2024 | Yusaku Kono, IPC Japan RepresentativeIn the past year, IPC has strengthened its relationships with key Japanese companies and government bodies. This was accomplished, in part, by a visit to Japan this past summer, where members of the IPC Asia team, punctuated by standards committee work last winter, forged stronger ties with government officials and companies involved in electronics manufacturing.
IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Patty Goldman
11/22/2024 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In my first article of this special series, I wrote a synopsis of the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award, along with a commentary on its first few members, particularly Pritchard. Over the years, IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded this high honor and recognition. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. Over the coming months, I look forward to researching and reporting on IPC Hall of Fame members and their contributions. This month, I highlight Patty Goldman.
Winners of IPC Hand Soldering World Championship at electronica 2024 Announced
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC hosted its Hand Soldering World Championship in Munich, Germany, at electronica on 14-15 November 2024, welcoming 14 competitors from 13 companies and 12 countries worldwide. Skilled contestants competed to build an electronics assembly in accordance with IPC-A-610 Class 3 criteria, and were judged on the functionality of the assembly, compliance with the assembly process and overall product quality. The contestants were allowed a maximum of 60 minutes to complete the assembly.
IPC Issues Clarion Call for EU to Reclaim Leadership in Electronics Manufacturing
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC released a synopsis of its recent white paper, Securing the European Union’s Electronics Ecosystem. This condensed document presents a comprehensive overview of the current challenges in Europe’s electronics manufacturing industry and shares actionable steps to help the EU achieve a stronger, more autonomous ecosystem.
Enjoy the Journey: PCB Design Instructor Kris Moyer on His Sustainable Lifestyle
11/19/2024 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityWhen I contacted IPC design instructor Kris Moyer to discuss his sustainable lifestyle, he responded to my text with a call. "I'm calling you from about 8,000 feet, sitting at the foot of Mammoth Lakes," he told me. “My friends and I are about to get in the pool for the afternoon." Kris can do this because he actually lives full-time in his travel-trailer at this campground. He's now a permanent camper, taking him anywhere the winds blow—and where there's strong internet service—so he can teach his PCB design classes, offer expert interviews, and live off the land.