According to the standard, employers may also use a job hazard analysis conducted by a professional trained in ergonomics. OSHA does not define the extent of training required, either in the standard itself or in the supplemental information. Consultants with expertise in ergonomics are likely to be kept busy conducting job hazard analyses. They may also be asked to help design controls. Once a hazard has been identified, its risk must be reduced.
Consultants are also likely to be called on to conduct training.
The standard requires employee training every three years on MSDs and their symptoms, risk factors, and control measures as well as the company s ergonomics program. Training is required for those employees in jobs that have been identified as high risk, based on the job hazard analysis. Ergonomics consulting may have been flourishing before. With the new standard, the need for it will increase significantly. In today's litigious society, you can't be too careful when it comes to protecting your business.