This article accompanies OSHA's Sharper Teeth.

In a report to Congress, the Government Accountability Office, finds that the accuracy of injury and illness data is affected by employer "disincentives ... to report work-related injuries and illnesses," including workers' fears of job loss and other disciplinary actions.

In addition, the report, Enhancing OSHA's Records Audit Process Could Improve the Accuracy of Worker Injury and Illness Data, finds that "safety incentive programs can serve as disincentives for workers reporting injuries and illnesses [because such] programs reward workers when their worksites have few recordable injuries or illnesses."

Read the whole report here.

See also:

OSHA's Sharper Teeth

Q&A with David Michaels

Ergonomics: The Next Battleground

OSHA Protections Enhanced