The regulation might also require businesses to hire additional workers to do the same amount of work and dramatically increase the number of work break periods to slow the rate and number of repetitive motions. In addition, the regulation requires businesses to foot the medical bill for injuries caused primarily by non-workplace activities. The regulation completely undermines state workers compensation laws. It overrides well established state standards in determining whether a condition is work-related. It even supersedes state standards establishing levels of compensation for injured workers.
Evidence shows that business is voluntarily and effectively dealing with real ergonomic issues.
MSDs in the workplace are declining. Many businesses have successfully implemented common sense ergonomics programs that address real, identifiable workplace problems and achieve measurable results. OSHA s ergonomics rule will undermine these highly successful, custom-designed programs. The business community is willing and prepared to work with OSHA on reasonably and effectively addressing the ergonomics issue, but this regulation is unacceptable. Congress should exercise its authority to repeal this egregious standard.