제 목 : California Issues First Ergonomics Rule
일 자 : 1997년 09월
제공처 : Safety + health(OSHA Update)
California became the first state to spawn an ergonomics standardJ aimed
at minimizing work-related repetitive-motion injuries.
The new regulation went into effect on July 5 and already has
drawn several union and employer lawsuits. It requires employers to
create a program that minimizes repetitive-motion injuries whenever
two or more workers performing the same tasks at a site are diagnosed
with such injuries within one year.
California's action will "embolden [federal] OSHA to move ahead" with a
repetitive-stress standard of its own, predicts Robb Mackie, a vice
president of the American Baking Association and a leader of the informal
Coalition for Ergonomic Research, an employer group that opposes such rules.
According to Deborah Berkowitz, safety and health director for
the United Food and Commercial Workers, the state's new rule 'sends
an important message to employers that this is a serious question - that
it's not just a figment of anybody's imagination.' However, she adds,
"The jury is still out as to whether there will be a national debate," and
whether an actuaI OSHA standard will appear.
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