RECOMMENDATION E:
IMPROVE DATA COLLECTION

Develop data collection methods that can be used to support responsive policies and programs.

E-1.

Determine the extent of underreporting. DOSH requires employers to record on Form 300 work-related injuries and illnesses that result in death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or diagnosis of a significant injury or illness by a physician or other licensed health care professional. Small businesses with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from these recordkeeping requirements. Employers are also required to report work-related injuries to their workers' compensation insurers (or to another department within the company if the employer is self-insured).

Workers and employers, however, often fail to report injuries in both of these recordkeeping systems, due to lack of knowledge, financial concerns, fear of discrimination or retaliation, and other obstacles. Immigrant workers in particular often do not want to report injuries because of fear of repercussions.

One or more studies should be funded to explore the extent of underreporting of injuries and illnesses among immigrant workers, particularly in the "informal" economy. These could build upon findings of an ongoing UC San Francisco research project that is studying barriers to occupational injury and illness treatment and prevention services to low-wage workers in California.

E-2.

Develop improved reporting systems. Researchers, labor organizations, and agencies in other states may already have addressed some of the problems of underreporting and begun to develop alternative reporting systems.* Efforts should be made to identify and partner with these concerned parties to create a pilot program to test alternative, community-based reporting systems (e.g.,through community clinics, emergency rooms, community-based organizations, county health departments, or unions). DHS should provide technical support to those organizations seeking to pilot test new data collection methods, particularly in a community-based setting.

*See, for example, the list of references in Azaroff L, Levenstein C, and Wegman D, "Occupational Injury and Illness Surveillance: Conceptual Filters Explain Underreporting," American Journal of Public Health, 92:1421-1429 (2002).