For Immediate Release
Monday, March 13, 2000
Statement of President Gerald W. McEntee on OSHA's Ergonomics Rulemaking
"Let the rulemaking begin! We have been waiting for a decade for a regulation on the biggest job safety problem in the workplace today.
"We finally won the battle to stop Congress from blocking OSHA protections against back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Now we intend to win the war, making sure the final OSHA standard provides protection that workers need and deserve. When the ergonomics regulation becomes the law of the land, millions of workers will be spared the pain, disability and the end of careers that result from back injuries and other repetitive strain injuries.
"OSHA's ergonomics proposal is an important step in the right direction. In the rulemaking process, we will advocate for even stronger protections than those which OSHA has proposed. For instance, the proposed rule would take effect only after workers in many occupations are injured. Therefore, AFSCME will actively participate in the rulemaking to ensure that the final rule requires that employers take all necessary and feasible steps to protect workers before injuries occur.
"Even with a high degree of underreporting, there are over 600,000 injuries recorded in this country each year related to poor ergonomics, and the national costs of these injuries have been estimated as high as $20 billion annually. Among AFSCME members, those who work in nursing homes and other health care settings have the highest rate of back injuries as the result of moving and lifting patients. Computer operators suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and other pain in their arms, shoulders and necks. But MSDs also occur among school bus drivers, equipment operators, laborers, maintenance and custodial staff, and those in many other occupations. All workers who must lift heavy loads, work in awkward positions, endure vibration or perform repetitive motions are at risk.
"We know what causes these injuries, and we also know how to prevent them. Ergonomics means changing the way work is done to take the strain off of workers' bodies. Patient-handling equipment, properly designed computer stations and adequate staffing are just a few examples of solutions that have been proven to be effective."
