[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 32 (Monday, March 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OSHA ERGONOMICS RULE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 12, 2001

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, on March 6, the U.S. Senate voted 56-44 to 
repeal an OSHA ergonomics rule initiated by the Clinton administration 
that would affect over 102 million workers at over 6 million work 
sites. While Congress passed the Congressional Review Act in 1996, 
granting the authority to review and disapprove of many regulatory 
rules made by a federal agency, Congress has never passed a joint 
resolution of disapproval.
  I have strong reservations about the rule because it puts a 
significant burden on already struggling small businesses not only in 
my community in Central New York but across the United States. 
Currently, Congress is trying to maintain and strengthen the overall 
economy by encouraging small business entrepreneurship with a variety 
of economic stimulus programs. We must continue this effort in a 
positive manner as it is the small business person who creates jobs in 
each of our districts. The implementation of this rule would devastate 
employers with extra costs that would try to fix ergonomically related 
problems.
  Despite my opposition to this rule, our work on this issue cannot 
stop here. According to OSHA, improper ergonomic design of jobs is one 
of the leading causes cited for work-related illness. Congress must 
protect the thousands of employees that have had work-related injuries 
while at the same time protect small businesses that must deal with the 
complexity and cost of the standard. Through federal funding, studies 
by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have provided a thorough 
review of studies that showed significant statistical information 
between workplace injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. However, the 
scientific understanding of the problem has not been completed.
  With this in mind, I urge Secretary Chao to immediately review and 
revise the standard that meets the needs of all parties. I do believe 
in a comprehensive approach to ergonomics that addresses the concerns 
imposed against the current standard. By finding corrective actions 
that can redesign the workplace, we will ensure the health and 
stability of our nation's workforce.

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