Copyright 2000 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc.
St.
Louis Post-Dispatch
January 12, 2000, Wednesday, FIVE STAR LIFT
EDITION
SECTION: EDITORIAL, Pg. B7
LENGTH: 617 words
HEADLINE:
NANNY STATE REACHES TOO FAR ON HOME OFFICES, ERGONOMICS
BYLINE: Daniel P. Mehan
BODY:
* WORKPLACE
AFTER 24 hours of fierce criticism of an
OSHA advisory asserting that all workplace safety regulations extend to
employees' work areas at home, Labor Secretary Alexis Herman backtracked,
saying, "the rules are not so clear." What is clear is that this is another
ridiculous example of OSHA's rulemaking fervor.
The controversy stemmed
from a Nov. 15 ruling posted on the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and
Health Administration Web site following a query on the matter by a single
company in Texas. It received little public notice until it was reported by the
Washington Post on Jan. 3. After a day of furious attacks by American employers,
telecommuting employees, chambers of commerce and congressional leaders, OSHA
admitted it had gone too far.
Opponents raised many questions. If you're
proofing a memo on your couch at night, do you have to let OSHA inspectors into
your home to check if your furniture is ergonomically correct? Do employers have
to be concerned about an employee filing a workers' compensation claim because
he tripped over his child's rollerskate on the way to his computer? Does an
employee have to put up guard rails on a staircase that leads to her basement
home office?
These examples seem almost laughable, but OSHA's ruling
would have serious, far-reaching consequences. The number of Americans working
at home is rapidly growing as work shifts to technology-driven modes of
operation.
A recent survey found that nearly 20 million Americans work
at home at least one day a month, up 4 million since 1990. With worker
shortages, increased emphasis on the family, and the rising capabilities of
technology, this trend will continue. Government should support the trend, not
tie it up in bureaucratic red tape. But unfortunately, this will be an ongoing
fight for employers, as Herman has vowed to continue exploring this type of
regulation.
For now employers have won the fight, but are facing an even
more costly threat from OSHA -- a November ruling forcing scientifically
unfounded ergonomic rules on American employers. In response, the Missouri
Chamber of Commerce has written to Missouri's congressional delegation asking
their assistance in blocking the new ergonomic regulations
proposed by OSHA.
THE rulings have little scientific evidence of benefit
to employees but have staggering negative implications for employers. OSHA puts
the annual financial costs at $ 4.2 billion. However, many, including the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers, estimate that the
fe deral rules could cost employers hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
The National Academy of Sciences is expected to release the results from
its congressionally funded ergonomics study within the year. The House recently
passed legislation blocking OSHA action until the NAS study was completed, but
the Senate adjourned before passing similar legislation. Coincidentally, the
ruling was announced shortly after the break. OSHA has shown its disregard for
the legislative process and sound science by pushing through the proposed ruling
in this manner.
It is time to put the reins on the federal
bureaucracy of OSHA.
OSHA's actions are not motivated by a true concern
for employees. Otherwise, OSHA would have waited to review the research to make
a truly constructive ruling on workplace ergonomics. OSHA's decision shows a
shocking lack of concern or comprehension of the impact on employers.
But the biggest injustice has been dealt to employees. Decisions like
these raise concerns that businesses might use more automated processes and
fewer workers. Decisions like these cost Missourians jobs.
LOAD-DATE: January 12, 2000 
