WASHINGTON - The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed ergonomics standard aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as back injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. The standard would require employers to address ergonomics issues for manual handling or production jobs where repetitive-motion or overexertion injuries are common.
Under the OSHA proposal, about 1.6 million employers would be required to implement a basic ergonomics program - assigning someone to be responsible for ergonomics; providing information to employees on the risk of injuries, signs and symptoms to watch for and the importance of reporting problems early; and setting up a system for employees to report signs and symptoms. Full programs would be required only if one or more work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) actually occurred. The proposal also offers a "Quick Fix" alternative to setting up a full ergonomics program. Under that option, an employer would be allowed to correct a hazard within 90 days and check to see that the correction works, with no further action necessary. In addition, a "grandfather" clause gives credit to companies that already have effective ergonomics programs in place and are working to correct hazards.