The Alaska Division of Labor Standards and Safety has revised the mandatory Alaska Safety and Health Protection posting to reflect the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) anti-retaliation provision. Our readers may recall that OSHA issued a Final Rule in 2016 relating to the Recordkeeping and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses regulations. Under the Final Rule, state-plan states had to adopt requirements that are substantially identical to the Final Rule. Employers are required to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retaliation. Thus, employers must establish a reporting procedure that does not deter or discourage an employee from reporting work-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA can now cite an employer for retaliation even if the employee did not file a complaint, or if the employer has a program that deters or discourages reporting through the threat of retaliation. The new authority gives OSHA the ability to protect workers who have been subject to retaliation, even when they cannot speak up for themselves.
Information about an employee’s right to report an injury without retaliation has been added to the Alaska Safety and Health Protection posting. The updated posting also includes new information on reporting an amputation or loss of an eye to the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health or OSHA within eight hours. Finally, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development website link and contact information have been updated. As a result of these changes, CPC will offer two Alaska poster update options – a new 2018 Alaska All-On-OneTM Labor Law Poster or a 2018 Alaska Safety and Health Protection Peel ‘N PostTM. Order today!