"Because this standard is so important, we determined that it is in the best interest of workers, employers and all concerned to extend the comment period," Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman said. "Although the ergonomics proposal itself is short, there are many supporting documents, and people want additional time to review the record."

Hearings on the proposed standard, originally scheduled to begin on Feb. 22 in Washington, D.C., are now scheduled to begin on March 13. The Chicago hearing will still begin on April 11 as planned. Additional information about the third hearing, originally scheduled to begin in Portland on March 21, will be announced shortly. Individuals planning to testify for more than 10 minutes at the hearings had until Jan. 24 to file their notice of intent to appear. That date will not be extended. Although people who file notices of intent to appear will be allowed to amend their requests if necessary.