OSHA Says Court Ruling Affirms Agency Can Subpoena Insurer Workers' Comp Data

A federal court decision backing up the Labor Department's legal arguments in an effort to subpoena records on inspections and reports from an employer's workers' compensation insurer clarifies the broader issue of OSHA's right to access such audit materials. OSHA praised the decision as making it clear that workers' compensation is not completely separated from OSHA, while industry argues that the reinforced subpoena power carries the potential for a chilling effect on employer efforts to identify and abate hazards. Agency chief David Michaels lauded the ruling and suggested even if it was no