OSHA’s Proposed Ergonomics Regulation

"House Republicans will vigorously work to ensure that America’s businesses and workplaces are safe for all workers. But, we will vigorously fight proposed federal ergonomics regulations until there is sound research in this area. Medical researchers must answer fundamental questions surrounding ergonomics before government regulators impose a one-size-fits-all solution that will cost thousands of jobs, billions of dollars and do little to prevent the back, neck, wrist and arm injuries that have emerged in the modern workplace.

"The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will not ultimately succeed in finalizing this ill-conceived ergonomics regulation because there are simply too many gaps in the scientific and medical knowledge in this area. The American worker is not well served by agency actions that will cost them jobs without improved safety while satisfying the Clinton Administration’s desire to extend government control in the workplace.

"I am very disappointed that the Clinton Administration has decided to go forward with a rulemaking on ergonomics at this time. Only three months ago, Congress and the President agreed on the need to spend nearly $1 million on a comprehensive study of the medical and scientific evidence concerning the ‘musculoskeletal disorders’ that the ergonomics standard is purported to prevent. The reason for this study by the National Academy of Sciences is that there is broad and deep disagreement amongst leading physicians about the diagnosis and causes of such ‘disorders’ and that no sound scientific evidence has so far related such ‘disorders’ to specific types or amounts of workplace activities. Without more scientific and medical evidence, OSHA cannot write a reasonable or effective regulation."

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