Senate Panel OKs Ergo Bill, but Final Passage Doubtful

WASHINGTON - The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee last week approved legislation that would require the federal government to develop mandatory ergonomic regulations to cover a wide range of blue-collar occupations, from truck drivers to package sorters to warehouse employees.

But the bill, intended to counter the Bush administration’s voluntary approach to ergonomics, faces a rocky road because the Senate committee vote was 11-10 along party lines, and the Republican-controlled House does not share the same sentiment as the Democratic-controlled Senate.

On top of that, the Bush administration has indicated a presidential veto is probable if the bill does pass Congress.

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