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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
Helping employers learn more about ergonomics--fitting the
job to the worker--is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's goal
in opening a new Internet web page on ergonomics and prevention of repetitive
stress injuries, OSHA announced today. The new web page is located at
http://www.osha.gov/ergo.
"We want to prevent pain and suffering for those working
now even as we observe Workers Memorial Day to remember and honor those who
have died on the job," said Gregory R. Watchman, acting assistant secretary of
labor for occupational safety and health.
"Ergonomics is about designing work and work stations to
enable workers to avoid awkward reaches, uncomfortable postures and the need to
use excessive force to do their jobs. Often simple and inexpensive changes can
make a tremendous difference for workers in preventing short-term discomfort
and long-term disability. Our new web page provides helpful information
everyone can use right now to begin dealing with these issues," Watchman
said.
Visitors to OSHA's new ergonomics web page will find:
- help in setting up effective workplace ergonomics programs
- OSHA publications and articles on ergonomics
- highlights from a recent national conference on ergonomics
- information on corporate-wide settlement agreements involving
ergonomic issues
- OSHA special emphasis initiatives to avoid repetitive stress
injuries in meatpacking and nursing homes
- a listing of international ergonomics standards
- links to technical OSHA information
"We are committed to developing a standard to guide
employers in protecting their workers against ergonomic hazards," Watchman
said. He stressed that the agency also promised to provide as much information
as possible to employers who want to begin immediately to focus on ergonomics
and reduce the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) among their
workers.
Watchman noted that RSIs account for about one-fourth of
the lost-time injuries reported each year. Although repetitive stress injuries
declined somewhat in 1995, three-fifths of all work-related illnesses are
associated with repeated trauma. About two-thirds of RSIs are back injuries
while one-third involve upper extremities. These are expensive injuries,
costing employers more than $20 billion each year in workers' compensation
costs alone.
OSHA intends to address ergonomics through a four-pronged
program including training, educational and outreach activities; study and
analysis of work-related ergonomic hazards to identify innovative and
cost-effective solutions; enforcement; and rulemaking. The ergonomics web page
is part of the first phase of the education and outreach effort.
Watchman spoke at a ceremony at City Hall in Bridgeport,
Conn., honoring the memory of 28 workers who died 10 years ago during
construction of L'Ambiance Plaza. Joining him to mark the ninth annual Workers
Memorial Day were Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, AFL-CIO
Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka and local union and public officials.
Workers Memorial Day was created by the AFL-CIO to
recognize and remember workers who have died on the job. The focus this year is
preventing repetitive stress and back injuries.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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