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Copyright 1999 Globe Newspaper Company  
The Boston Globe

November 23, 1999, Tuesday ,THIRD EDITION

SECTION: BUSINESS; Pg. D6

LENGTH: 345 words

HEADLINE: ADVOCATES: ERGONOMICS STANDARD LACKING

BYLINE: By Diane E. Lewis, Globe Staff

BODY:
Workplace safety advocates said they were concerned about language that could limit the effectiveness of a new national ergonomics standard unveiled yesterday in Washington.

Tolle Graham, an occupational health specialist at the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health in Jamaica Plain, said the regulations are weakened by a provision stating that implementation of the standard will be triggered by an injury in the workplace.   'This is not a program that will evaluate signs and symptoms with the idea of preventing an injury from occurring," said Graham. "It isn't preventative enough . . . At the same time, it is hopeful that we have gotten this far."

Besides safety advocates, industry groups also voiced their concerns about the proposed standards. Jennifer Krese, director of employment policy at the Washington-based Association of Manufacturers, said she was leery of a clause in the standard that promises to grandfather in companies that already have appropriate safety measures.

"Our members have received no assurances that this regulation will improve worker safety," said Krese, who called the agency's push to develop the standard "disingenuous."

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's new ergonomics standard, which is slated to be implemented by the end of the year 2000, employers at 1.6 million worksites will be required to develop or implement a basic ergonomics program.

OSHA estimates accommodations to a single work station could cost $150 per year. The overall cost to employers is expected to be approximately $4.2 billion, and will include the $875 million US companies spend on injured employees who are not fully covered by workers' compensation.

Before the standard can be implemented, a series of hearings must be held during which time workers and employers will testify for or against the proposal. Graham yesterday urged Massachusetts workers who suffer from work-related repetitive stress injuries and would like to testify to contact MassCosh at (617)-524-6686.

LOAD-DATE: November 23, 1999




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