Occupational Health & Safety (04/19/12)

A new U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration directive guides agency representatives in communicating investigation procedures with family members following a workplace fatality. The guidance is geared to ensure that OSHA representatives speak to the worker’s family early in the investigation process, establish a point of contact, and maintain a working relationship with the family.

Under the new directive, OSHA representatives will contact the victim’s family to explain the investigation process and 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.