Proposals from the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration that would compel certain companies to implement a basic ergonomics programme are being challenged by the Specialised Carriers & Rigging Association.
Under OSHA’s proposals companies involved in manufacturing, manual handling and other general industries would have to provide employees with information on the risk and symptoms of injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
They would also have to implement a symptom reporting system. It is proposed that the ergonomics programme standard rule would come into force by 1 January 2001. SC&RA president Delynn Burkhalter warned: “This could cost our industry billions of dollars. Worse, there is no evidence whatsoever that the proposal will result in a reduction of musculoskeletal disorders.” In its evidence to OSHA, SC&RA said that the proposals were unworkable. “While the objectives of the proposal are laudable, the structured approaches in the proposal unnecessarily mandates a mechanical micromanagement of safety and health injury prevention programmes,” the SC&RA in its submission.
It continued: “The absence of a proven measurable causal relationship between risk factors and MSDs renders employers unable to measure the effectiveness of the steps that have been taken to reduce or eliminate MSD-related injuries or illnesses.
“Without scientifically and medically established thresholds, employers are left to speculate at what level exposure to work-related risk factors becomes harmful.” The SC&RA also highlighted difficulties in determining whether MSDs had been triggered by activities away from the workplace, over which employers have no control.Proposals from the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration that would compel certain companies to implement a basic ergonomics programme are being challenged by the Specialised Carriers & Rigging Association.
Under OSHA’s proposals companies involved in manufacturing, manual handling and other general industries would have to provide employees with information on the risk and symptoms of injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
They would also have to implement a symptom reporting system. It is proposed that the ergonomics programme standard rule would come into force by 1 January 2001. SC&RA president Delynn Burkhalter warned: “This could cost our industry billions of dollars. Worse, there is no evidence whatsoever that the proposal will result in a reduction of musculoskeletal disorders.” In its evidence to OSHA, SC&RA said that the proposals were unworkable. “While the objectives of the proposal are laudable, the structured approaches in the proposal unnecessarily mandates a mechanical micromanagement of safety and health injury prevention programmes,” the SC&RA in its submission.
It continued: “The absence of a proven measurable causal relationship between risk factors and MSDs renders employers unable to measure the effectiveness of the steps that have been taken to reduce or eliminate MSD-related injuries or illnesses.
“Without scientifically and medically established thresholds, employers are left to speculate at what level exposure to work-related risk factors becomes harmful.” The SC&RA also highlighted difficulties in determining whether MSDs had been triggered by activities away from the workplace, over which employers have no control.
