Where Does OSHA Stand on Safety Incentive Programs, Anyway?

OSHA recently issued a memorandum clarifying the agency’s position that its rule prohibiting employer retaliation against employees for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses does not prohibit workplace safety incentive programs or post-incident drug testing.

The department believes that many employers that implement safety incentive programs and/or conduct post-incident drug testing do so to promote workplace safety and health.

Action taken under a safety incentive program or post-incident drug testing policy would only violate OSHA’s anti-retaliation rule if the employer took the action to penalize an employee for reporting a work-related injury or illness rather than for the legitimate purpose of promoting workplace safety and health.

For more information, see the memorandum. 10/16/2018