ConDig (18-May-17). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has delayed the filing deadline for the proposed electronic record keeping rule in order to give employers more time to comply.

The agency had originally set the deadline for July 1 but has now pushed this date back as it has not yet opened the online portal for companies to post their injury and illness logs, according to reports.

Under the new rule titled “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,”, employers with more than 10 employees are required to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses and log them with OSHA.

The records must be maintained at the worksite for at least five years and the agency had planned to publicize the information on its website.  The rule also prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for reporting injuries or illnesses.

But the new rule has been heavily criticized by certain industry leaders and The National Association of Home Builders — along with Oklahoma State Homebuilders Association, the State Chamber of Oklahoma, US Chamber of Commerce and National Chicken Council — launched a lawsuit in January amid claims it exceeds OSHA’s statutory authority and have an adverse impact one workplace safety and health.

The latest action by OSHA follows a recent delay in enforcement of the silica standard and re-opening of the beryllium standard.