Washington – OSHA is reopening the public record to allow comments on its controversial proposed rule that would add a musculoskeletal disorder column to the OSHA 300 log.
The rule would revise the occupational injury and illness recording and reporting requirements rule to require employers to check a column on the log if an incident results in an MSD.
A notice published in the May 17 Federal Register invited the public to comment on how the rule could affect them and on issues raised during April teleconferences OSHA hosted for small businesses. The comment period closes June 16.
When OSHA first published the proposed rule in January 2010, the agency experienced a backlash from several stakeholders, many of whom claimed the rule would be costly and time-consuming. OSHA administrator David Michaels defended the rulemaking, arguing it would save employers money by showing them where MSD injuries were occurring on their jobsites.
A year later, OSHA announced the agency would temporarily withdraw the rule to solicit input from small businesses and address concerns.
