A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office says employers consistently underreport worker injuries and illnesses and concludes that some employer safety programs can create disincentives for reporting injuries.
Union groups say the findings, released on Nov. 16, confirm safety programs that discourage the reporting of workplace injuries are undermining the safety and health of American workers. But employer groups maintain federal and state policies that emphasize fines and penalties over assistance create a culture that discourages employers from addressing safety problems before they lead to injuries.