OSHA appears to expand definition of a recordable ergonomic injury

OSHA appears to be interested in expanding the definition of an ergonomic injury for recordkeeping purposes to include incidents which cause workers to have minor soreness or discomfort.

Two poultry industry trade groups have criticized a recent OSHA citation against Wayne Farms for alleged safety violations at its Jack, Alabama, plant involving musculo-skeletal disorders and other workplace hazards.

“After reviewing five years of injury and illness records in this case, OSHA identified only a handful of recordkeeping incidents, most of which involved the employer’s provision of exercise-strengthening programs for employees experiencing minor discomfort,” according to the statement by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and National Chicken Council.

“Because the employer did not record these proactive measures to head off potential injury, OSHA misconstrued this as proof of under-reporting. Historically, as OSHA is aware, these proactive measures have not been recorded as injuries,” the statement said.

“The poultry industry believes that it properly addresses OSHA’s recordkeeping standard and that OSHA has inexplicably changed its interpretation of the rules by deciding to now classify proactive job conditioning and minor soreness as a recordable injury or illness.”

If OSHA is in fact changing its recordkeeping interpretation, it could have impact on a wide variety of industries affected by ergonomics and employers would do well to keep a close eye on developments.