Investigate OSH Problems
If there has been a workplace injury or if there is a workplace hazard or suspected hazard, an investigation may be called for. These investigations may be performed by workers, stewards, union representatives, or government officials. They are important for determining the facts related to a workplace injury, what laws and regulations apply to a given situation, what an employer’s OSH history is, etc., in order in turn to determine what course of action is appropriate to a given situation. This section is organized to facilitate such investigations. It provides tools and guidance for conducting interviews, performing legal research, accessing OSH statistics and information, and other investigative activities.
- Interviewing Witnesses
This 15 page document is prepared for stewards or business agents who become involved with investigating a workplace injury or illness and need to interview witnesses. - Researching the Law
California laws related to occupational safety and health are in the Labor Code. To search the Labor Code by keyword, click here, check the box for Labor Code and use the keyword search to find the sections relevant to your investigation. This page is part of the official site for California legislative information. - Researching Regulations
Cal/OSHA and other labor regulations in California are found in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. To go directly to OSH regulations (listed by Chapter and Subchapter), and to search by Keyword, click here.- For Federal laws and regulations, see:
- OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) PART 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
- OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) PART 1910, Subpart R - Special Industries
(no direct link)
- OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) PART 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
- See ALSO
THOMAS - Legislative Information on the Internet
Office of the Federal Register
Library of Congress
Information Network for Public Health Officials
- For Federal laws and regulations, see:
- Job Tracker: A Research Tool Linking OSHA Records to Other Federal Agency Information
This web-based search tool hosted by Working America, the Community Affiliate of the AFL-CIO, can be used to research the records of companies by geographical area, company name, or industry.- It links records from OSHA, the NLRA and data on job exports and layoffs due to trade agreements.
- It provides summary data, from which more detailed information on particular companies can be accessed.
- It also links OSHA IMIS inspection data, injury data reported in the OSHA data initiative, and the list of companies with high injury rates who receive warning letters from OSHA as part of the site specific inspection program. Data is from 2000 forward and includes only closed OSHA cases.
- Information Regarding Federal OSHA Inspections
- Access to Cal/OSHA records
Click here for a sample letter to Cal/OSHA requesting copies of files (pdf). - Access to Employer Records - 8 CCR 3204
- “How to” information for accessing employer records related to occupational safety and health using California law(pdf)
- Sample letter requesting information - Worker Letter (pdf)
- Sample letter requesting information - Union Representative Letter (pdf)
- Sample authorization form (pdf)
- Sample release form (pdf)
- Statistical Information
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics - Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) program
This site provides data regarding workplace illnesses, injuries, and fatalities.
- Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses nationally
2008 Release
2005 Release - Fatal occupational injuries and illnesses nationally
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) page contains links to many types of data and research regarding work-related fatalities. - 2005 Data (MMWR link)
- 2005 Data (BLS link)
- Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses nationally
- Click here for a link to BLS information by state. The U.S. map contains hyperlinks; users can click the state for which they want information.
- The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) also compiles statistics and research regarding OSH incidents in California. This information is hosted on the Division of Labor Statistics and Research (DLSR) page. It is organized into tables which summarize the information for a given year.
- Finally, for a third-party analysis of occupational illness and hazard statistics, see Counting Occupational Diseases: the Tip of an Iceberg. This page is part of a larger website which hosts a database linking hazardous chemicals and occupational diseases.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics - Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) program
- Researching Hazardous Agents, Occupational Diseases and High Risk Jobs
- Chemical Exposure Health Data - Federal OSHA maintains this page which provides information about occupational chemical exposures based on OSHA testing and sampling. The page's online form now allows users to search and sort records of OSHA samplings for toxic chemical exposure by categories such as establishment, industry, state, year range, substance and OSHA inspection number. Users can also download sampling data from 1984 to 2009, either in one full set or by individual year.
- To search by industry requires using an industry code system. Click here for instructions regarding the NAICS and SIC industry code systems.
- Haz-Map, hosted by the National Institutes of Health, is an extensive database which provides information regarding all three of these topics. It also links the three topics together: You can search for hazardous agents known to cause a particular type of disease, or for jobs related to a particular chemical etc.
- Chemical Exposure Health Data - Federal OSHA maintains this page which provides information about occupational chemical exposures based on OSHA testing and sampling. The page's online form now allows users to search and sort records of OSHA samplings for toxic chemical exposure by categories such as establishment, industry, state, year range, substance and OSHA inspection number. Users can also download sampling data from 1984 to 2009, either in one full set or by individual year.