On August 14, 2014, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking regarding electronic submission of injury and illness records. OSHA had originally published the notice of proposed rulemaking in November 2013, in which the agency had proposed, among other things, to require employers to submit OSHA 300 logs and 301 injury reports electronically on a quarterly basis. Most importantly, OSHA's November 2013 proposed rule would make such injury and illness reports publically available online.

In its supplemental proposal, OSHA proposes rules changes in areas that could significantly affect many employers' workplace injury and illness reporting policies and greatly expand OSHA's reach and scope in enforcing the anti-retaliation provision of Section 11(c) of the OSH Act. Specifically, OSHA is seeking comments on (1) whether employers should be required to inform their employees of their right to report injuries and illnesses; (2) whether requiring employers to implement injury and illness reporting programs would be reasonable and not unduly burdensome; and (3) whether employers should be prohibited from disciplining employees for reporting injuries and illnesses.