The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced in March that approximately 14,000 employers have been notified that the injury and illness rates at their worksites are higher than average. 

The establishments with high workplace injury and illness rates were identified by OSHA from the calendar year 2005 injury and illness data submitted to the agency through the mandatory data collection survey forms distributed to approximately 80,000 establishments in 2006.  The 14,000 targeted workplaces have 5.3 or more injuries or illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity, or job transfer (DART) for every 100 full-time workers. The national average DART Rate for 2005 was 2.4. 

In a letter sent to those employers, OSHA explained the notification was a proactive step to motivate employers to take steps now to reduce those rates and improve the safety and health environment in their workplaces.  Included in the letter are a summary of the site’s reported injury and illness data and a list of the most frequently violated OSHA standards for the site’s specific industry.

The letter also suggested the employers seek assistance from free OSHA-funded safety and health consultation services provided through independent state agencies, the state workers' compensation agencies, insurance carriers, or outside safety and health consultants. According to OSHA, receiving a letter does not mean that a work site will be inspected. 

The 14,000 sites are listed alphabetically, by state on OSHA’s Web site at: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/foia/hot_13.html.  The list does not include employers in the 21 states and Puerto Rico that operate OSHA-approved state plans covering the private sector.  Also, the list does not designate those sites earmarked for any future inspections. An announcement of targeted inspections will be made later this year.