Chao Declines to Commit to Ergo Rules

Labor Secretary-nominee Elaine Chao on Wednesday declined to commit herself to the broad-ranging and controversial workplace safety or ergonomics standards issued in November by the outgoing Clinton administration, the Associated Press reported. Chao was in her confirmation hearing with the Senate Labor Committee.

Business groups have said the cost of implementing those new rules would be staggering, while labor groups regard them as a protection against injuries that end up costing both individuals and their companies through lost work time.

Those rules have technically gone into effect, but the government is not planning to enforce them until Oct. 14. However, reports have suggested the Bush administration may avoid enforcing them, and some opponents are urging the Congress to reverse them outright.

Also Wednesday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee endorsed Gale Norton to be President Bush’s Interior secretary, while the full Senate confirmed Tommy Thompson as secretary for health and human services.