OSHA Extends Ergonomics Hearings

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is planning eight weeks of hearings on its controversial ergonomics proposal beginning March 13.

	Related Stories
	Coming Ergonomics Rules Will Apply to Rail Workers In Some Cases, OSHA Says (Feb. 28) ATA Says Ergonomics Rule Is Unconstitutional (on Truckline) Proposed Ergonomics Rule Sparks Industry Opposition (Dec. 1) OSHA Moves Ahead With Rules (Nov. 4) (Note: To return to this story, click the "Back" button on your browser.)

At first, the agency scheduled four weeks of hearings in the nation’s capital on the proposed regulation that would require trucking and nearly every other industry to revamp workplaces to reduce repetitive stress injuries. Those hearings were to be followed by nine days of testimony in Chicago and seven days in Portland, Ore.

However, OSHA said last week that it would add five days of testimony in Washington at a later date to accommodate requests from the more than 300 individuals and organizations that want to testify.

The hearings will run from March 13 to April 7 in Washington, April 11 to 21 in Chicago and April 23 to May 3 in Portland.

Representatives from American Trucking Associations plan to testify during the hearing. The association was among hundreds of trade organization and others that filed comments on the proposed rule with the regulatory agency before the March 1 deadline.

In its comments, ATA said the rule is “irrational” and beyond the scope of OSHA’s legal powers. The trade group wants OSHA to either withdraw the rule or exempt trucking companies.