Business organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that now are in court trying to overturn the ergonomics rule are enemies of working people who care little for a safe and healthy workplace. That s the view of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, reflecting the position of organized labor and its allies. Congress has tried to halt imposition of the rule. A source on the Senate Small Business Committee staff tells Insight that the most likely defense is in the courts, where business groups are contending that the rule is unconstitutional. But remaining legislative options include a rider attached to the Health and Human Services appropriations bill that would forbid OSHA from implementing the rule, which still is subject to ongoing negotiations.
Republicans are furious.
They say the ergonomics rule isn t a safety regulation but a tool for the unions to gain leverage against employers, Insight is told. Congress has tried to make it clear to OSHA that this regulation should not go forward, says Senate Small Business Committee Chairman Christopher S. Bond of Missouri. If OSHA won t listen to Congress, maybe it will listen to the courts, Bond says. It then came to light that OSHA also had neglected to include in its cost estimates certain state and local employees as well as those who work for railroads. Republicans on the House Education and the Workforce Committee expressed disappointment at OSHA s rush to regulate while the matter is still in negotiation.