Focus on communications with victims' families following a workplace fatality

A new US-American Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) directive guides OSHA representatives in communicating investigation procedures with family members following a workplace fatality. The guidance ensures that OSHA representatives speak to the victim's family early in the inspection process, establish a point of contact, and maintain a working relationship with the family.

"This directive," explained Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, "ensures that OSHA receives the necessary information from the family and keeps the family informed throughout the investigation and settlement processes."

Under the new directive, OSHA representatives will contact the victim's family to explain the investigation process, timeline, and provide the family with updates throughout the investigation. Once the investigation is closed, OSHA will explain findings to the family and address any questions. If an employer has been issued citations, OSHA will provide a copy of the citation(s) to the family.

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AplusA-online.de - Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration