State ergonomics rule repealed
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Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 03 Dec 2003 13:26
A major statewide ergonomics rule was repealed by Washington State voters on Election Day—one more sign that ergonomics regulations are disappearing nationwide.
Voters struck down the state's initiative to prevent workplace injuries generally caused by repetitive tasks prevalent in manufacturing work, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and lower back disorders. According to the state government, such injuries cause more than 40 percent of worker's compensation claims.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, common pain conditions, including persistent joint and back pain, contribute to workers' missing work, costing US employers some $60 billion in lost productivity.
According to the Washington State rule, all public and private employers would have had to identify all jobs in their business that "cause or aggravate work-related musculoskeletal disorders" and reduce hazards that cause them. Though adopted, the rule was not yet being enforced, with large companies having until July 2005 to comply and small employers until 2008—though now, with the repeal, none will have to comply.
Federal ergonomics rules have also been beaten back in recent years. Congress struck down a similar OSHA ergonomics regulation in March 2001, shortly after President Bush's inauguration. There are several ergonomics guidelines—which are entirely voluntary—that OSHA has produced in the past year geared toward various industries.
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