OSHA: Ergonomics Draft Needs Some Modification

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, after hearing two months of testimony, does not have a clear directive from industry and labor on how the agency should proceed with its workplace standard to reduce injuries, but it acknowledges that modifications are in order.

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“Absolutely, there are changes that will have to be made,” Gary Orr, a specialist in ergonomics at OSHA, said during a telephone interview on May 2.

He said labor wants OSHA to develop “some sort of risk assessment” for jobs, while industry has charged the proposal governing manufacturing and manual handling work “lacks specifics.”

“The hearing process is not geared to consensus,” Orr said. “You’ll see some detailed changes, but you won’t see a document you won’t be able to recognize.”

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