For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 10, 2000
News Advisory: AFSCME Testifies for Strong Ergonomics Standard
Final OSHA Hearings on Proposed Ergonomics Rule to be Held May 12 in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON —On Friday, May 12, 2000, representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, will bring personal stories of workplace hazards and successful efforts to improve workplace safety to the final day of hearings on the proposed ergonomics standard of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). AFSCME, with 1.3 million members, is the nation's largest public employee and health care workers union.
AFSCME also will present its support for the creation of an ergonomics standard and recommend that OSHA include stronger protections in some areas. AFSCME is particularly concerned that employers not be allowed to wait for injuries to occur before fixing problems, especially in jobs where there are well-known risk factors or when workers begin to suffer signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
AFSCME witnesses include James August, who directs AFSCME's occupational safety and health program, and two panels of witnesses: The first, from New York State, will include a bridge repair mechanic with the New York DOT; a school cook; a home health care worker who had to leave her job because of injuries she suffered; and a staff member of the Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME, which represents 240,000 public employees in New York. A second panel will include three witnesses who will discuss a successful labor-management effort that took place at the Rochester, N.Y., Office of Emergency Communications, a 911-call center. The panel also will include members from Local 2910, Council 26 AFSCME, who will discuss steps taken to address ergonomic injuries at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
All witnesses will be available to talk with reporters following their testimony at the OSHA hearings.
Event: Final testimony before OSHA on its Proposed Ergonomics Rulemaking
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Date: Friday, May 12, 2000
Location: U.S. Dept. of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Rm. N3437, Washington, D.C.
