The quarterly data transmittal requirement would apply to companies with 250 or more employees.

Michaels says employers already collect the data. At present, companies are required to keep track of their work-related injuries and illnesses in the so-called OSHA log. But he added, “For the most part, the information in the logs never leaves the workplace.”

The proposal also would require companies with 20 or more workers in 54 “high-hazard” industry sectors, including construction, to submit injury and illness data to OSHA once a year.

Michaels also said, “Public posting of workplace injury and illness information will nudge employers to better identify and eliminate hazards.” He added, “Employers want to be seen as the top performers in their industry….We believe that responsible employers will want to be recognized as leaders in safety.”

AGC's Turmail said, "We like the idea. We absolutely support the idea of more data being available." But he added, "We don't feel that...OSHA has done a good job in making sure that firms understand how and and what to report in their injury data."

Turmail said AGC officials "want to make sure that this proposed rule doesn't in fact punish honest firms that are reporting every piece of information they've got about employee injuries and health, while another firm that maybe is not fully implementing OSHA's requirements because [the firm's executives] don't understand them looks like they've got a better safety record."

Story updated on Nov. 8 to include comments from Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America and CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training.