Blunt Urges Scientific Review of Ergonomics
Standard
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Missouri Seventh District Congressman Roy
Blunt, with the bipartisan support of twenty-one cosponsors (listing
attached), introduced legislation to require that any regulation on
ergonomics by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
be grounded in sound science. The legislation would keep OSHA from
moving forward with the most sweeping regulation in its history, based
on the February 19 draft, until the Congressionally approved National
Academy of Sciences study is completed.
Blunt said, "It's hard to believe that OSHA would be rushing to make
regulations that are likely to result in a loss of jobs without
agreement in the scientific and medical communities on the causes and
cures for repetitive stress injuries. Just last year Congress and the
Administration approved almost $1 million for a quick but thorough study
by the National Academy of Science (NAS). OSHA's February 19
announcement of a regulatory draft flies in the face of the good
judgement to wait for the facts."
The NAS study will examine all the scientific literature on the
relationships that exist between repetitive stress injuries and
workplace tasks, as well as the full range of possible causes of these
injuries and ways to prevent them. It would also identify areas where
more research is needed and report all of its findings to Congress. The
NAS estimates the study will be completed in 18 - 24 months.
Blunt said, "We must diagnose the problem before regulating. OSHA's
draft regulation would cost billions of dollars and may eliminate
thousands of jobs while failing to assure the prevention of even one
injury."
"The rules proposed by OSHA are likely to increase pressure on
employers to jeopardize jobs by substituting robotic equipment for
employees. For instance, bakers are particularly concerned that the age
old process of hand twisting bread dough would have to be done by
mechanical twisters and florists are concerned that they may have to
find a way to mechanically arrange flowers to reduce the alleged stress
of cutting and handling arrangements. It's wrong to eliminate the jobs
of working men and women based on the whim of some bureaucrat in
Washington who's never lifted anything heavier than a pencil."
Blunt's bill, the Workplace Preservation Act, would require OSHA to
wait until the completion of the NAS study before implementing an
ergonomic standard. This legislation would help to insure that OSHA
drafts an effective regulation based on sound science. The bipartisan
bill is cosponsored by 11 Republicans and 9 Democrats.
Ergonomics Bill Cosponsors
| Representative Cass Ballenger (R-NC) |
Representative Richard K. Armey (R-TX) |
| Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX) |
Representative J.C. Watts (R-OK) |
| Representative Henry Bonilla (R-TX) |
Representative John Boehner (R-OH) |
| Representative John Tanner (D-TN) |
Representative Christopher John (D-LA) |
| Representative Matthew Martinez (D-CA) |
Representative Bob Clement (D-TN) |
| Representative Cunningham (R-CA) |
Representative Richard Burr (R-NC) |
| Representative Joel Hefley (R-CO) |
Representative David McIntosh (R-IN) |
| Representative John Peterson (R-PA) |
Representative Charles Stenholm (D-TX) |
| Representative Virgil Goode (D-VA) |
Representative Owen Pickett (D-VA) |
| Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX) |
Representative Norman Sisisky (D-VA) |
| Representative William Goodling (R-PA) |
|
Ergonomics Fact Sheet
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced
its proposed draft regulation on ergonomics on February 19,
1999.
- A July, 1997, report by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) reviewing epidemiological studies that have
been conducted of "work related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck,
upper extremity, and low back" showed that there is insufficient
evidence to assess the level of risk to workers from repetitive
motions. Such characterization would be necessary to write an
efficient and effective regulation.
- An August 1998 workshop on "work related musculoskeletal injuries'
held by the National Academy of Sciences also reviewed existing
research on musculoskeletal disorders. It also showed that there is
insufficient evidence to assess the level of risk to workers from
repetitive motions.
- In October, 1998, Congress and the President agreed upon a
comprehensive study by the National Academy of Science of the medical
and scientific evidence regarding musculoskeletal disorders. The study
is intended to evaluate the basic questions about diagnosis and causes
of such disorders. Given the level of uncertainty and dispute about
these basic questions, and Congress' intention that they be addressed
in a comprehensive study by the National Academy of Science, it is
premature for OSHA to decide that a regulation on ergonomics is
necessary or appropriate to improving workers' health and safety
before such a study is completed.
- It has been estimated that an ergonomics regulation will cost
billions of dollars, with some single industry estimates as high as
$18 to $30 billion. Any regulation with this potential impact on the
Nation's economy merits a sound scientific and medical
foundation.
- Repetitive stress injuries represent less than 5% of the total
workplace illness and injury picture, according the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. The numbers for these injuries have been trending downward
significantly in the last two years -- a 15% decline.
- Representative Roy Blunt (R-MO) has introduced legislation that
will require OSHA to wait until the completion of the National Academy
of Science study before implementing an ergonomic regulation.
Office of the House Majority Leader
For immediate release
--
Contact: Michele Davis/Jim Wilkinson
March 4, 1999
(202)
225-6007
House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) issued the following
statement today in response to the introduction by Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
of legislation requiring that any ergonomics regulation issued by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) be grounded in
sound science:
"It's hard to imagine that OSHA would issue regulations without
taking all factors into account. But they do, they did, and this bill
will help rein in this agency that often puts regulations first and jobs
last."
"I applaud Roy for building a bipartisan coalition for common sense.
I look forward to working with him to help make his legislation the law
of the land."