Ergonomics in Limbo on Capitol Hill

Congress is still trying to keep the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from issuing an ergonomics rule, aimed at preventing musculoskeletal injuries. A provision in the 2001 appropriations bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education would bar OSHA from spending any money to write or issue and ergonomics standard.

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The provision was included by narrow votes in both the House and Senate versions of the appropriations bill, but other differences have sent the legislation to a conference committee.

Despite passing in both houses, the fate of the ergonomics rider remains in doubt because President Clinton has pledged to veto the bill if it prevents an ergonomics standard from going forward.

A spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee said Oct. 4 that there were no meetings of the conference committee scheduled and that the fate of the ergonomics ban was still up in the air.

ATA’s Safety Management Council became the Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council on Oct. 5.