Controversial Workplace Ergonomics Standard Released

Nov. 13, 2000
OSHA's controversial ergonomics program standard, released today,\r\nwill be effective Jan. 16, unless opponents can hold up\r\nimplementation through court challenges.

A far-reaching federal regulation aimed at reducing job-related injuries caused by repetitive motions has been issued by OSHA.

OSHA''s controversial ergonomics program standard, released today, will be effective Jan. 16, unless opponents can hold up implementation through court challenges.

Employers must begin to distribute information on the standard to employees and begin receiving and responding to reports of injuries no later than Oct. 14, 2001.

All general-industry employers, some 6 million workplaces, will be subject to the standard. It does not apply to employers in construction, maritime, agriculture or railroads.

OSHA issued the standard, 29 CFR 1910.900, to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) developed by workers whose jobs involve repetitive motions, force, awkward postures, contact stress and vibration.

The principle behind ergonomics is that by fitting the job to the worker through adjusting a workstation, rotating workers between jobs or using mechanical assists, MDSs can be reduced and, ultimately, eliminated.

The rule requires employers to inform workers about common MSDs, MSD signs and symptoms and the importance of early reporting. When a worker reports signs or symptoms of an MSD, the employer must determine whether the injury meets the definition of an MSD incident -- a work-related MSD that requires medical treatment beyond first aid, assignment to a light-duty job or temporary removal from work to recover, or work-related MSD signs or symptoms that last for seven or more consecutive days.

An expert on ergonomics issues suggests that companies without an ergonomics program should be proactive and formulate a plan for dealing with the standard.

Charlie Kopin, director of off-site services for Industrial Health Care (IHC), Connecticut''s largest occupational health care provider, said that one of the easiest steps a company can take is to appoint a person to be responsible for ergonomics training and review.

Most large companies have a safety committee, and Kopin said one of that committee''s members could be appointed to concentrate on ergonomics. That person should also work on establishing a company policy on ergonomics and help employees report possible problems.

The safety committee should also make ergonomics one of its ongoing concentration areas, Kopin said. All work areas should be monitored for problems, and modifications should be made if some are discovered.

More importantly, once changes are made, the committee should make sure it checks back to ensure those modifications are effective.

Kopin said nothing makes a problem worse than a modification that isn''t correctly adhered to because workers were not properly informed or educated. "The easiest way to treat ergonomic problems is to prevent them from happening," he said. "Education is the best prevention, and this can be done by providing employees with a handbook that discusses ergonomic risk factors like posture and repetition as well as signs and symptoms of MSDs."

One of the biggest concerns for companies is what may happen once an MSD is diagnosed in an employee, noted Kopin.

Companies with injuries should perform reviews of the workplace to eliminate or reduce MSD hazards. But this re-engineering is raising red flags because of the possible cost involved.

"OSHA says it anticipates a cost of $150 per workstation for ergonomic adjustments, so it''s easy to see why a company with 300 employees is concerned," he said. "I think it is important to remember that any cost associated with ergonomic fixes now will pay dividends in the long run by eliminating down time and injuries."

by Todd Nighswonger

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Committing to Safety: Why Leadership’s Role in Safety Excellence is Key

Jan. 13, 2025
Leadership has the power to transform an organization through their behavior and vision, which can result in the creation of an organizational culturethat supports safety excellence...

Speak Up! Cementing "See Something, Say Something" to Drive Safety

Jan. 13, 2025
Many organizations promote "see something, say something" to encourage their people to intervene and make work safe. But most don't go far enough to equip teams with the skills...

The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

Jan. 13, 2025
DEKRA announces its latest white paper, “The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease,” as a definitive look into why being vulnerable to incidents strengthens our commitment...

Mitigating Risks: Strategies for Safeguarding Workers in Hazardous Workplaces

Jan. 13, 2025
Join our expert team in taking on the challenge to make safety part of your organization’s DNA as work, the workforce, and workplaces evolve.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!