You'll now have until at least January, 2004, before complying with any rules on recording work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), following the Labor Department's recent deferral on deciding if employers must specifically track MSDs.

Meanwhile, OSHA wants your opinion on the proposed one-year delay in reporting MSDs and whether to include MSDs and hearing loss columns on the OSHA Form 300 Log of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

Written comments on the agency's proposal to delay the recordkeeping rule's definition of "musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)," and whether to include MSDs and hearing loss columns on recordkeeping forms, must be submitted by August 30, 2002, in triplicate to the Docket Office, Docket R-02B, Room N2625, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20210; (202) 693-2350.

Due to security-related problems in receiving regular mail service in a timely manner, OSHA is requesting that comments be hand-delivered to the Docket Office, or sent by Express Mail or other overnight delivery service, electronic mail or facsimile at (202) 693-1648.