A Washington State judge has rejected an industry challenge to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries ergonomics rule. The rule, which is the most comprehensive regulation to protect workers from repetitive strain injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders in the U.S., was challenged by a coalition of employers. It will be phased in over the next seven years.
The decision represents a setback for the employers seeking to repeal the regulations. In their lawsuit, the group claimed state regulators exceeded their authority, relied on insufficient evidence and failed to coordinate with other statutes.