OSHA Ergo Standard May Allow Back Belts as PPE

Dec. 1, 2000
OSHA's long-awaited final ergonomics standard had some surprising\r\nchanges, including a new definition of PPE.

OSHA''s long-awaited final ergonomics standard had some surprising changes, including a new definition of PPE.

The rule establishes the hierarchy of controls, in which PPE is the last line of defense, only to be used when engineering and administrative controls either have been used or are deemed to be unfeasible.

Where PPE is used, it must be provided at no cost to the employee.

A significant change from the proposed rule is the partial acceptance of back belts as PPE.

A note in the proposed standard had specifically excluded back belts and wrist supports from being considered PPE.

Now OSHA "is persuaded that the evidence for the effectiveness of back belts, although limited, exceeds that available for other types of equipment that workers wear that is classified as PPE (e.g., palms pads, knee pads).

OSHA has therefore decided not to prohibit the classification of back belts as PPE for the purposes of this standard. Accordingly, the note to that effect contained in the proposal does not appear in the final rule. Permitting back belts to be used as PPE means that employers will be required to provide them to their workers, if they choose to do so, at no cost to employees. Further, as with any PPE, back belts used in this manner are subject to OSHA''s standard for PPE (29 CFR 1910.32)."

by Virginia Sutcliffe

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.

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