This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Environment
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Government Regulations
    • Health
    • Industrial Hygiene
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • Product Case Studies
    • Psychology
    • Safety Culture
    • Training
    • Transportation Safety
    • More Topics
  • Construction
  • Oil & Gas
  • Columns
    • Editorial Comments
    • Best Practices
    • Positive Cultures
    • Training Strategies
    • Closing Time
    • FR Protection
    • Thought Leadership
  • Products
  • Conventions
    • Convention Companion
  • Multimedia
    • eBooks
    • Infographics
    • Photo Galleries
    • ISHN Podcasts
    • Your Digital Mentor Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • ISHN YouTube Videos
  • More
    • Awards
      • 2020 Readers' Choice Awards- Submit Products
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Product Case Studies
    • Product Innovations
    • Showrooms
    • Vendor News
  • Advertise
    • Contact
Home » Ergo krypto-dynamite: MSD reporting proposal scares U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2/23)
Today's News

Ergo krypto-dynamite: MSD reporting proposal scares U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2/23)

February 23, 2010
Reprints

Business groups in Washington react to any mention of ergonomics like Superman confronting kryptonite. They want absolutely nothing to do with it.

Despite disclaimers from the Obama administration that there are no current plans to pursue a federal ergonomics standard for a second time (the Clinton administration’s ergo rule was overturned in 2001 by the Republican-controlled Congress using the Congressional Review Act), and that all options are open regarding how to reduce ergo-related illnesses, the recent announcement by OSHA that it intends to keep closer track of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in its recordkeeping requirements for industry has sent the U.S. Chamber of Commerce behind closed doors to draw up battle plans.

The chamber sees the recordkeeping requirement as the first baby step toward an inevitable full-blown ergo standard proposal.

The MSD recordkeeping proposal would simply provide OSHA, the public, and industry with a more accurate count of how many MSD injuries are actually occurring, OSHA officials say.

At the crux of this ergo skirmish is how broadly or narrowly MSDs are defined.

According to a web post by Joanne Linhard, an occupational safety and health expert with the consultancy ORC Worldwide, based in Washington, DC, “on January 28, OSHA announced it would publish a proposed rule to revise its Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting regulation (29 CFR 1904) to restore a column to the OSHA 300 Log that employers would use to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). This proposed rule would require employers to place a check mark in the MSD column, instead of the column they currently mark, if a case is an MSD that meets the recordkeeping regulation’s general recording requirements.”

Written comments to OSHA on the proposal must be received or postmarked by March 15, 2010.

OSHA’s proposed regulatory language states:

2. A new §1904.12 is to be added to read as follows:

§ 1904.12 Recording criteria for cases involving work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

(a) Basic requirement. If any of your employees experiences a recordable work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), you must record it on the OSHA 300 Log by checking the "musculoskeletal disorder" column.

(b) Implementation. (1) What is a "musculoskeletal disorder" or MSD? MSDs are disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. MSDs DO NOT include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents, or other similar accidents. Examples of MSDs include: Carpal tunnel syndrome, Rotator cuff syndrome, De Quervain's disease, Trigger finger, Tarsal tunnel syndrome, Sciatica, Epicondylitis, Tendinitis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, Carpet layers knee, Herniated spinal disc, and Low back pain.

(2) How do I decide which MSDs to record? There are no special criteria for determining which MSDs to record. An MSD case is recorded using the same process you would use for any other injury or illness. If an MSD disorder is work-related, is a new case, and meets one or more of the general recording criteria, you must record the case as an MSD in the MSD column. The following table will guide you to the appropriate section of the rule for guidance on recording MSD cases.

(i) Determining if the MSD is work-related. See § 1904.5. (ii) Determining if the MSD is a new case. See § 1904.6. (iii) Determining if the MSD meets one or more of the general recording criteria:

(A) Days away from work, See §1904.7(b)(3); (B) Restricted work or transfer to another job, See § 1904.7(b)(4); or (C) Medical treatment beyond first aid. See § 1904.7(b)(5).

(3) If a work-related MSD case involves only subjective symptoms like pain or tingling, do I have to record it as an MSD? The symptoms of an MSD are treated the same way as symptoms for any other injury or illness. You must record the case on the OSHA 300 Log as an MSD if:

(i) An employee has pain, tingling, burning, numbness or any other subjective symptom of an MSD; (ii) The symptoms are work-related; (iii) The MSD is a new case; and (iv) The case meets one or more of the general recording criteria.

(4) When do I have to start recording work-related MSDs on the MSD column? You must begin recording work-related MSDs on the MSD column as of January 1, 2011. Google the Federal Register for January 29, 2010 for a full description of the proposal and MSD reporting criteria.

Subscribe to ISHN Magazine

Related Articles

U.S. Chamber of Commerce predicts "regulatory tsunami"

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Unsafe companies are "a few outliers" (3/17)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce warns against organized labor's "anti-growth" agenda (1/7)

Subscribe For Free!
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • ISHN eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Today's News

2 young part-time UPS workers killed in California

Today's News

Steel worker injured at Indiana plant

crystal ball

Safety and health trends for 2020

Lendlease

Humorous workplace safety campaign features mothers

ergonomic

The most common office injuries and how to prevent them

ISHN Readers' Choice Awards 2020 product submissions


Events

March 7, 2019

Safety and Wellness: The Combination that Drives Engagement and Profitability

On Demand Attend this webinar for the keys to success, as well as mistakes to avoid, when targeting safety and wellness with a Recognition & Reward Program.

View All Submit An Event

ISHN Podcasts


ISHN Podcasts

ISHN Magazine

ISHN1219_cover.jpg

2019 December

Among the articles in the December 2019 issue of ISHN Magazine, we have expert insight on selecting the right respirator, a link to the 2020 Buyers’ & Resource Guide, 10 safety mistakes that can land you in a courtroom, and much more.
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • List Rental
    • Safety A-Z
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Web Exclusives
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More
    • Connect
    • Subscribe
    • Survey And Sample

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing