For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 16, 2001
Hands Off the OSHA Ergonomics Standard
AFSCME Implores Incoming Bush Administration and Congress Not to Attack New OSHA Ergonomics Standard
WASHINGTON —The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, urged national elected officials not to take any action that would undercut a new OSHA workplace ergonomics standard that became effective today.
"If the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress are serious about wanting to heal the wounds from the election, they can start by supporting OSHA's new Ergonomics Standard that will stop painful injuries," urged President Gerald W. McEntee. The rule will prevent hundreds of thousands of disabling back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) each year. MSDs are the leading cause of injuries in the workplace.
"President Bush has said that he intends to be the President of all the people," said McEntee. "But he cannot make good on that promise if his appointees are not committed to supporting and enforcing the ergonomics standard and other worker safety laws."
AFSCME is keeping a close eye on Congress as well. Congress has the authority, which it has never used, to repeal major government regulations. "We are putting both the incoming administration and the Republican-controlled Congress on notice that they will have a big fight on their hands if there is any attempt to kill, gut, or delay the ergonomics standard," McEntee continued.
Ten years have passed since then-Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole pledged that OSHA would begin the process of developing an ergonomics standard. Since then, over 600,000 workers have missed work each year due to MSDs, costing the U.S. economy an estimated $15-20 billion annually.
The Ergonomics Standard that goes into effect today was developed through an exhaustive standard-setting process. OSHA reviewed thousands of studies, held more than two months of public hearings, and received the testimony of hundreds of witnesses last year alone. The product of this process is a reasonable and balanced approach that reflects the best practices being followed in industry today, AFSCME said.
Employers covered by this standard have until October 16, 2001 to provide information to their employees about MSDs, how to report injuries, and the requirements of the OSHA standard. After that, employers must respond to workers' reports of MSDs and take actions to fix problems.
