October 4, 2002—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on September 26, 2002, that it is extending until October 30, 2002, the period for public comments on its draft ergonomics guidelines for nursing homes.
OSHA is granting a 30-day extension in response to industry and labor requests for additional time to submit written comments on the agency’s first set of industry-specific ergonomic guidelines, Guidelines for Nursing Homes, that were announced on August 30 in the Federal Register. The original deadline for comments was September 30.
The guidelines are intended to provide practical solutions for reducing ergonomic-related injuries and illnesses in nursing homes. They will not be used for enforcement purposes. Draft guidelines are being developed for other industries and will also be available for comment.
OSHA will hold a one-day stakeholder meeting in the Washington, DC, area on November 18, 2002. The meeting location will be announced following the comment period.
Interested parties must submit written comments by Oct. 30. Written comments (10 pages or fewer) can be faxed to OSHA’s Docket Office at 202/693-1648 or sent electronically to http://ecomments.osha.gov. Three copies of written comments and attachments must be submitted to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. GE2002-1, Room N-2625, US Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20210. Further information on submitting comments can be obtained by calling the Docket Office at 202/693-2350.
