March 22, 2011 at 04:40 PM
OSHA is working behind the scenes with state public health officials to develop a formal arrangement under which state agencies would routinely share workplace data and make site referrals for use by federal OSHA in its inspection and standard-setting efforts, sources say. The concept, which an official involved called a “milestone,” emerged from a two-day meeting in Washington earlier this month. State health departments could have data, for example, about incidence of silicosis, asbestosis or lead poisoning, and may have information about specific work sites for which they could make referra