April 10, 2002—The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has expressed disappointed that the Department of Labor (DOL) will not promulgate a new ergonomics standard. As recently reported on FMLink, the Departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration will implement a comprehensive plan—including industry-targeted guidelines—to address workplace musculoskeletal disorders, but will not issue a new ergonomic standard.
“ACOEM has advocated and will continue to advocate for an ergonomics standard,” said Dean A. Grove, MD, MPH, ACOEM President. “Although the previous standard issued by OSHA was fatally flawed, there is strong scientific evidence that supports the need for a standard. Fundamental to an effective standard, however, is a process to verify the diagnosis of a musculoskeletal disorder and to determine that the injury or disorder is directly related to workplace duties.”
“ACOEM is particularly saddened that after more than a decade of ongoing debates, hearings and scientific reviews, the Administration was unable to bring together members of the business and labor communities to iron out a compromise plan to at least pursue an ergonomics standard in high risk industries,” said Grove. Regardless, ACOEM pledges to work with OSHA as it moves forward to implement the strategy announced today. “ACOEM will work with OSHA as a partner to address these workplace injuries and protect our nation’s workforce.”
