Evaluation of the characteristics of workers injured on the job requiring hospitalization, and employer compliance with OSHA's reporting requirement for these work-related hospitalizations.

This study identified that workers sustained severe injuries and illnesses on the job and that over half of the companies where a worker suffered an injury/illness leading to hospitalization were not in compliance with OSHA's reporting regulation. Furthermore, at the time of an inspection 1-5 months later, 50% of the companies had not corrected the hazard causing the hospitalization. Improvement in the reporting of work-related injuries/illnesses that result in hospitalization will identify more ongoing hazards in the workplace and improve where to focus preventive actions.