To help meet the new OSHA Ergonomics Standard, the National Safety Council (NSC) is offering informational seminars in 20 locations around the country—”How to Implement an Ergonomics Program.” The sessions, given in conjunction with AON Risk Consultants, include all the information necessary to carry out an ergonomics program, including:
- Who is Covered?
- What are the Benefits? What are the Costs?
- What is a Musculoskeletal Disorder?
- What does the Standard Require?
- What are the Specific Compliance Dates?
The new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ergonomics standard, which may affect more employees than any other government regulation in US history, took effect on January 16, 2001. The new standard affects more than 102 million workers in 6.1 million workplaces in virtually all American businesses and industries. About 4.75 million small businesses, including 4.2 million workplaces with fewer than 20 employees, are covered by the new standard. Hospitals, restaurants, trucking and courier services, and grocery stores are expected to have especially high numbers of jobs affected and individual costs of more than $100 million per year. The only employees excluded from the standard are those who work for employers covered by OSHA’s construction, maritime, or agricultural standards, and employers who operate a railroad.
Each year, 1.8 million US workers report work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and back injuries. About 600,000 MSDs are serious enough to require time off from work to recover. OSHA’s aim is to significantly reduce the number and severity of MSDs caused by risk factors in the workplace and estimates that 60 percent of all employees work for employers that have not yet addressed ergonomic risks.
The NSC offers a full range of ergonomic products and services including booklets, posters, technical publications, consulting, and training. For additional information and a listing of dates, locations, and contact information for the NSC-AON seminars, call Barry Urborg at 630/775-2124.
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Deadline for compliance with OSHA’s final Ergonomics rule is October 14, 2001
