After 10 years of debate, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a national ergonomics standard that covered 102 million workers and took effect in January. But the much-criticized rule—which some said would cost businesses more than $100 billion per year—has now been scrapped by Congress, within weeks of President Bush’s taking office. And the president has now signed the repeal measure.
Ergonomics Not Dead
Despite the repeal, the federal ergonomics effort is not over. Just days after the congressional action, Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) offered a new proposal that would require OSHA to issue another ergonomics standard within two years that resolves critics’ concerns. Plus, the Cal/OSHA ergonomics standard remains in effect.