The Integrity News
Vol. XI No. 8 ISSN 1081-2717 April 5, 2002
The Associated Press
( on the U.S. Labor Department )
"Labor Department officials said today
that they will develop voluntary guidelines
for certain industries to reduce workplace
injuries, a move sure to please businesses
that had lobbied hard against more
sweeping regulations."
Last year Congress, in a high-profile move,
repealed a late Clinton-era regulation that
would have required employers to make
changes to reduce worker injuries related to
ergonomics, and in some cases compensate
injured workers.
"This plan is a major improvement over the
rejected plan because it will prevent
ergonomics injuries before they occur and
reach a much larger number of at-risk
workers."
The four-part plan includes:
(1) OSHA development of voluntary
guidelines aimed at certain industries
and certain tasks. They expect to release
the guidelines in about 6 months. They
also expect to encourage other businesses
and industries to develop their own
policies.
(2) Targeted enforcement. The Labor
Department will not focus its enforcement
efforts on employers that have implemented
"effective" ergonomics programs or "who
are making good-faith efforts to reduce
ergonomic hazards".
(3) Outreach and assistance. OSHA plans
to offer training grants to help address
workplace injuries, and will set up an
Internet site to promote safety and
prevention.
(4) Research. OSHA plans to develop an
advisory committee to study ergonomics
and identify areas that need attention.
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