Ergonomics: CAL/OSHA Considering Petition To Alter Ergonomics Rule

On February 20, 2003, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board held a public meeting to consider a petition filed by the California Labor Federation to alter the requirements of the state’s ergonomic rule. At the meeting, the standards board voted to convene an advisory committee to consider the petition, which seeks to drop the requirement that, in order to trigger an employer’s obligation to adopt an ergonomics program, there be two identical repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) reported within a 12-month period. The labor group argues in the petition that this current standard isn’t sufficiently protective of workers and urges Cal/OSHA to adopt a preventive approach based on the presence of risk factors for RMIs. We’ll stay on top of any developments.