$1.2 million proposed penalty shows OSHA still serious about recordkeeping

OSHA’s reported decision to suspend a pilot program cracking down on alleged under-reporting of accidents and illnesses doesn’t mean that recordkeeping requirements aren’t being enforced, as a recent OSHA announcement illustrates.

OSHA is proposing $1.2 million in penalties against Goodman Manufacturing Co., alleging 83 willful violations for failing to record or improperly recording work related injuries and illnesses at a Houston plant.

“Goodman had either not recorded or failed to properly record the nature and/or duration of 72 percent of employee injuries and illnesses from January 2008 to March 15, 2010, on its log,” OSHA said.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for OSHA’s requirements or employee safety and health.

Last month Inside OSHA (subscription required to view) quoted unidentified sources as saying that “the agency has not found the number or degree of violations it had expected to uncover through the program.”

“A memorandum was issued on July 27 outlining the agency’s plan to halt programmed inspections under the OSHA recordkeeping National Emphasis Program (NEP), according to sources,” the newsletter reported.

Nonetheless, companies should continue to pay careful attention to accurately recording injuries and illnesses on their OSHA logs.