OSHA's ready for ergonomics rulemaking - round two
You might get your first look at OSHA's latest attempt at writing an ergonomics standard as soon as next month, when the agency plans to once again release draft regulatory language for "universal circulation," according to an OSHA official.
Three years ago OSHA took its first crack at an ergonomics standard, floating a package of draft documents that measured more than an inch thick. The agency "intended to facilitate informed discussion," according to a cover letter at the time. Dozens of industry groups responded by signing a letter to Congress urging Republicans to kill the rule. In May, 1995, OSHA's top ergonomics official resigned, citing personal frustrations. One month later, then OSHA chief Joe Dear announced that the time was not right to pursue a standard. Since then, a series of Congressional restrictions has prevented the agency from issuing a proposal. The current ban runs out at the end of September, 1998.