The DOSH proposed changes to chapter 296-27 WAC, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, adopts the same or similar language under federal OSHA 's revisions to Title 29 CFR Part 1904. The proposed changes to DOSH's rule are required in order to be at least as effective as OSHA. The proposed changes include:

• Requiring certain employers (depending on size and industry type) to annually submit electronic injury and illness records to federal OSHA that they are already required to keep under the recordkeeping regulations. Under the current rule, employers do not electronically submit work-related injury and illness records.
• Ensuring the completeness and accuracy of injury and illness data collected by employers and reported to OSHA. The DOSH proposed rule also:
  • Revises the existing requirement that employers establish procedures for employees to report occupational injuries and illness, to clarify that these procedures must be "reasonable" and not deter or discourage reporting;
  • Requires employers to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retaliation; and
  • Incorporates the existing statutory prohibition on retaliating against employees for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses.

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