Ergonomic is kryptonite at the national level, with OSHA officials not even mentioning the word in speeches these days. Ergo is so toxic that even the agency’s proposal to have employers separately log ergo-related injuries was withdrawn. But it’s a different story at the state level. In the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s latest “Happenings From the Hill,” Government Affairs Director Aaron Trippler offers this update:

• Illinois: Safe patient handling legislation - Pending
• Massachusetts: Establishes safe patient handling policy – Pending
• Maine: Safe patient handling legislation – Pending
• Michigan: Prohibits ergonomics regulations – Pending
• Michigan: Prohibits promulgation of ergonomics rules – Passed Senate
• Missouri: Establishes safe patient committee to recommend program – Pending
• Mississippi: Urges ergonomics practices – Pending
• Mississippi: Enacts safe patient handling act – Died in Committee
• New York: Requires safe patient handling – Pending
• New York: Enacts safe patient handling act – Pending
• New York: Creates safe patient handling task force – Pending
• New York: Creates safe patient handling task force – Pending

Apparently healthcare workers, orderlies and nurses, have more clout than industrial workers in terms of possibly receiving ergo protections, specifically the act of patient handling.