OSHA finally issues an ergonomics standard
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 1/1/2000
The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted an ergonomics proposal to the Federal Register in November 1999. About one-third of general industry worksites--1.9 million total--will be affected and more than 27 million workers will be protected by the standard.The proposed standard will become finalized in 2000 after a public comment period.
The key to the latest proposal requires general industry employers to address ergonomics for manual handling and manufacturing production jobs. Employers will also need to fix other jobs where employees experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
According to the proposal, employers in general industry will incur minimal costs. The total cost to employers nationwide each year would equal $4.2 billion.
The proposal would require 1.6 million employers to implement a basic ergonomics program. This means assigning someone to be responsible for ergonomics; providing information to employees on the risk of injuries, signs and symptoms to watch for and the importance or reporting problems early; and setting up a system for employees to report signs and symptoms.
The OSHA proposal identifies six elements for a full ergonomics program:
- Management leadership and employee participation
- Hazard information and reporting
- Job hazard analysis and control
- Training
- MSD management
- Program evaluation
OSHA estimates that more than one-third of all serious occupational injuries, or 600,000 each year stem from overexertion or repetition. Injuries costs businesses a combined $15 to $20 billion each year.
The proposal, however, has sparked a heated debate. Opponents to the proposal insist that the program is too vague and that compliance officers will have too much discretion, citing anyone for anything.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president for labor policy Randel Johnson, calls the proposal "ill-considered."
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