US plans to impose ergonomic requirements on employers

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published proposed regulations that would require employers to implement ergonomic standards in the workplace.

Citing a projected savings in compensation and costs of $9bn a year, OSHA has set out to cut the growing number of musculoskeletal disorders experienced at work. It says an average of almost 2M employees a year suffer back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and similar physical problems, with about a third of these needing time off.

The intention is to cut these numbers by requiring employers to adhere to best practice principles. Actual requirements would operate at two levels Ð a basic programme for most companies and a more extensive one for any workplace where an injury has actually occurred.

The proposals also provide employees experiencing problems with the right to medical evaluation and offer protection for their pay and benefits, should time off be required.

Elliott Chase