A recent news release posted by The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration on March 9, 2010 indicates that OSHA has notified about 15,000 workplaces nationwide of high injury and illness rates in their establishments via a written letter. OSHA identified these businesses as having the highest DART rate (the number of injuries/illnesses that resulted in days away from work, restricted work activities or job transfers) based on employer-reported data from a 2009 survey of about 100,000 worksites. “Receipt of this letter means that workers in that particular establishment are being injured at a higher rate than in most other businesses of its kind in the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “Employers whose businesses have injury and illness rates this high need to take immediate steps to protect their workers.” The letter that went out stated the following paragraph:

“I am writing you to indicate my concern about the high DART rate at your establishment and to identify ways that you can obtain assistance in addressing hazards in your workplace. OSHA recognizes that your elevated DART rate does not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in safety and health. Whatever the cause, a high rate is costly to your company in both personal and financial terms. In addition, you should be aware that OSHA may target up to 4500 general industry workplaces identified in the survey for inspection in the next year.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but this is one list I would hate to be on so to help keep your workplace safe, be sure that you have the most recent OSHA Law Posters and OSHA signs posted in your facility and remember that OSHA continues to offer consultation services that are available at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html.

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