OSHA releases white paper on injury and illness prevention programs
Washington – A new white paper (.pdf file) from OSHA presents research in support of injury and illness prevention programs.
Currently, 34 states have laws that require or encourage employers to implement such programs. According to the paper, an OSHA analysis of eight of the states found that the programs lowered injury and illness incidences by 9 to 60 percent.
Additionally, the agency estimates that implementation of the programs by employers who currently do not have one will reduce injuries by 15 to 35 percent, for an annual workers’ compensation cost savings of $9 billion at the 15 percent level and $23 billion at the 35 percent level.
The paper concludes that effective injury and illness prevention programs emphasize ownership from the top, employee participation and fixing hazards, and can work for organizations of any size.
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