Last week, we advised you that OSHA fines were being dramatically increased to “catch up” with inflation since they were last hiked in 1990.  This week, we want you to be aware of a new procedure for reporting work-related injuries that takes effect on January 1, 2017, with specific prohibitions on retaliation against employees that were to be effective August 10, but just yesterday, were delayed until November 1, 2016.  The new mandate will require employers to establish a “reasonable procedure” for employees to report work-related injuries promptly.  Further, this new standard will invite closer scrutiny by OSHA of any post-accident drug or alcohol testing because the agency claims such testing deters accurate injury reporting by employees.  Employers will need to justify each decision to test based on the specifics of the workplace injury or accident.