GOP Says it Will Try to Block OSHA’s New Ergonomics Plan

WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans say they will mount an effort to stop new workplace ergonomics rules from being implemented when they return to Washington early next month.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued its final regulations, which are vehemently opposed by trucking and other industries, on Nov. 14, and will implement them in 60 days unless Congress or the White House acts to prevent it.

Congressional Republicans said they would move to stall the rules until the next administration takes office. “We want to allow the next president the flexibility of keeping them or turning them off,” said Pete Jeffries, communications director for House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) Nov. 15.

A provision to shelve the ergonomics rules for a year is contained in the $355 billion Labor Department appropriations bill for fiscal 2001 that is still pending before Congress. President Clinton threatened to veto the bill because of that provision, forcing Congress to return to work on Dec. 4, instead of waiting until January and the installation of the new administration.

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