Bill Would Delay Ergonomics Rule

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Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced legislation that would stop the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from going forward with its attempt to regulate ergonomics until a scientific study of the issue is completed by the National Academy of Sciences.

“It’s hard to believe OSHA would be rushing to make regulations that are likely to result in a loss of jobs without agreement in the scientific and medical communities on the causes and cures of repetitive stress injuries,” Blunt said.

OSHA released an early draft of its latest attempt to reduce repetitive stress injuries on Feb. 19. It expects to officially propose a standard in September.

Blunt’s bill, the Workplace Preservation Act, would require OSHA to wait until the completion of the NAS study that Congress funded in last year’s budget. The study is expected to take 18 to 24 months.

Industry groups, which have attacked OSHA for trying to implement a standard without enough evidence, applauded Blunt’s efforts.

“Right now OSHA has proposed a regulation lacking sound science,” said Ed Gilroy, co-chairman of the National Coalition on Ergonomics. “We need solid proof — a foundation of scientific data — in order to assure that an ergonomic regulation would actually prevent repetitive stress injuries.”