Ergonomics Rule Ban Moves Forward

Industry efforts to delay a federal ergonomics rule until after a scientific study of the issues is completed advanced in Congress.

Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced a bill March 4 that would prevent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from issuing an ergonomics rule until the National Academy of Sciences completes a review of the subject (3-8, p. 2).

The House bill was given initial approval by the Workforce Protections Subcommittee May 19 and now awaits the attention of the full Committee on Education and the Workforce.

A Senate version was introduced May 18 by Missouri Republican Sen. Christopher Bond.

"A foundation of science and medical evidence must be in place before writing an ergonomics regulation," said Ed Gilroy, co-chair of the National Coalition on Ergonomics, a group of business interests that have fought OSHA's attempts to issue a rule. "We are pleased that the subcommittee recognized the need for this foundation and it took the first step to make it happen."

American Trucking Associations is a member of the coalition.

Congress appropriated $890,000 in the 1999 budget for the two-year NAS study, which began May 10.