Is bullying at work OSHA recordable?

Answer 1

Only work-related injuries and illnesses that meet OSHA criteria are recordable. Bullying at work is a practice, not an injury or illness, so it is not recordable. However, injuries or illnesses may result from bullying and those could be recordable. They have, however, adopted an anti bullying policy for the workers. The policy is contained in a 278-page document, the OSHA Field Health and Safety Manual, which was released on May 23, 2011. The manual outlines safety practices for OSHA's field offices. It was drafted in cooperation with the National Council of Field Labor Locals, a union that represents OSHA workers. OSHA's workplace bullying policy is significant because the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees … ." However, OSHA has not enforced that provision with respect to workplace bullying, despite overwhelming research that workplace bullying may cause severe damages to a target's mental and physical health.