Proposed Ergonomics Rule Sparks Industry Opposition

December 1, 1999 11:56 AM, EST

The Clinton administration got to the finish line first in the race to see if it could issue an ergonomics proposal before congressional Republicans passed a bill blocking it.

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At a Nov. 22 news conference in Washington, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration unveiled its long-awaited and controversial ergonomics plan, which the agency expects to prevent 300,000 workplace injuries and save $9 billion in worker’s compensation and other costs every year.

"We are compelled to act," said Charles N. Jeffress, assistant labor secretary for occupational safety and health. "Employees are getting hurt. People are suffering."

At the heart of the tug-of-war between industry and federal regulators is money. OSHA expected it would cost U.S. businesses about $4.2 billion a year to comply with the rules. Food Distributors International, which represents 242 grocery wholesale and food service distribution companies, recently estimated the proposal would cost its members $26 billion in the first year and $6 billion annually thereafter.

For the full story, see the Nov. 29 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.