House committee reports on injury and illness under-reporting

A staff report by the Committee on Education and Labor (US House of Representatives) was released last week. They heard from witnesses that contend that the Department of Labor’s longstanding failure to collect accurate data on workplace injuries and illnesses calls into question the agency’s claims that workplaces are getting safer and healthier.

As much as 69 percent of all injuries and illnesses may never be reported to OSHA. An Education and Labor Committee staff report released today reviews the extent of the underreporting problem and offers explanations for it. To view the complete report, click here.

The press release with links to the statements by witnesses is at: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/edlabor_dem/rel061908.html