Business Gears Up to Battle New Obama Workplace Safety Rule

[ensho]

http://www.propublica.org/article/business-gears-up-to-battle-new-obama-workplace-safety-rule-204


As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the White House are trying to minimize their differences <2>, a brewing battle at OSHA over a workplace injury reporting rule illustrates how tough that could become given the administration's pro-labor leanings.

-snip-

At issue is a regulation that would force employers to identify when a workplace-related injury or illness is considered a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), a term broadly used to describe ailments caused by repetitive stress, like carpal tunnel syndrome or strains from frequent heavy lifting.

Figures <3> gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that MSD-related problems accounted for nearly a third of the 1.1 million workplace injuries and illnesses in the private sector that led to days off work in 2008

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration wants to include an additional column on the federal surveys employers are required to fill out, to identify when a worker's injury is musculoskeletal in nature. Currently, these injuries are recorded in the same category as problems like hearing loss, making it difficult for OSHA to collect accurate data. Union representatives and OSHA officials say the data could help the agency find opportunities to reduce injuries.

But business representatives, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, say the move is the Obama administration's first step toward developing sweeping regulation of ergonomic safety, which could cost employers millions.

-snip-

The Chamber held a closed-door meeting on Jan. 25 to discuss how to approach the new proposal. Freedman wouldn't reveal who attended the meeting or discuss the Chamber's plans. He said the only reason people outside the Chamber's membership even knew about the meeting is because he accidentally e-mailed an invitation to someone who shouldn't have been on the list.

-snip-

"The industry is just looking for a fight," argued Peg Seminario, director of safety and health for the AFL-CIO. "As soon as Obama was elected, it was clear that immediately there would be a war on ergonomics. This gives you a sense of how rabid they are that they don't even want these injuries identified."
-snip-
--------------------


they don't want these listed because there are so MANY!

go OSHA go! stay on the side of the worker.

[One_Life_To_Give]

1. Germany rolled out some Ergonomics rules many years ago

AFAIK they had to back off of several of the requirements. Particularly that a Red LED could only be used to indicated Danger. As a Red Led caused too much Eye Stress. Also just looking at my office now. The monitors Bezels have too much contrast to the Webpage I am typing on (white background with a black monitor bezel).

To be sure it can be an easy place for regulators to go overboard and micro-manage way too much. Inspite of good intentions.