OSHA to Hold Teleconferences on Musculoskeletal Disorder Reporting Proposal

In order to gather information from small businesses on the possible effects of the agency’s proposal to restore a column to the OSHA Form 300 Injury and Illness Log that would require employers to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced that it will hold a series of teleconferences to discuss the issue. The proposal, which OSHA temporarily withdrew in January, would revise Form 300 to include a column for employers to check if a case they already are required to record involves a MSD. In addition, the proposal would require employers to record these MSD totals on the OSHA Form 300A Annual Summary. The stated purpose of the three teleconferences is to allow small businesses to provide information about their experiences in recording work-related MSDs and how they believe the proposed rule would impact them.

The teleconferences will be held on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. EST, and on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. EST. Each teleconference is expected to last about 2 to 3 hours. Those interested in participating must contact Regina Powers at powers.regina@dol.gov by April 4, and indicate the teleconference in which they wish to participate. The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy and OSHA will chose the participants from the pool of applicants, although members of the public may listen in on the meetings in person at OSHA's Washington, D.C. office at 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington D.C. 20210, Room N-3437 C & D.

The selected participants will be given background information and a list of issues for discussion in advance of the teleconference. More information on the teleconferences can be found here.

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Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.