OSHA Ergonomics Standard in Jeopardy
Opponents to Seek Repeal of Worker Protection Measure

After 10 long years of struggle, workers in this country finally won protections to prevent crippling repetitive strain injuries, the nation's biggest job safety problem. OSHA's new ergonomics standard issued in November goes into effect Jan. 16. But with Republicans controlling the Congress and the White House, this new worker protection measure is in danger as opponents aim to repeal this important standard.

The ergonomics standard is the most significant job safety measure ever issued by OSHA. It will prevent hundreds of thousands of injuries each year by requiring employers to implement ergonomics programs and fix jobs where musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) occur. The rule is a huge step forward and will bring about major improvements in workplace safety.

The same Big Business groups and anti-worker members of Congress that waged a relentless campaign to try to stop the ergonomics standard from being issued are gearing up now to repeal the rule. House Republican Majority Leader Rep. Dick Armey and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) have vowed to introduce legislation in the 107th Congress to overturn the standard. Attacks on the standard are likely to come in early in the year and could come in several ways:

Legislation to repeal the ergonomics standard through a Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Under this law, Congress can act to overturn issued rules. A resolution to disapprove a rule can't be amended or filibustered. This law is the nuclear bomb of deregulation. If a rule is overturned and repealed, the agency is prohibited from issuing another similar rule. This means that OSHA never could act to set a strong standard to protect workers from ergonomic hazards.

• An amendment to OSHA's fiscal year 2002 budget to prohibit the application or enforcement of the ergonomics standard. This is the tactic used in the past by Republicans. With President Bush in the White House, there would be no veto to stop such a prohibition.
• Action by the Bush administration to stay or suspend the rule. This would put a hold on the standard pending a reopening of the rule-making process or the outcome of the legal challenges to the standard. During this time, the Bush administration could issue a new proposal to repeal or weaken the existing standard.

Action Needed to Defend the Ergonomics Standard

The battle to defend the ergonomics standard must begin immediately. We need to build broad public and congressional support for this important worker protection. Please join the fight to stop opponents' efforts to take away this hard-won protection.

• Share this alert and information about the importance of protecting this new worker safety standard with your members and the public through your publications and electronic communications. Urge them to join this effort.
• Call or write your members of Congress, as well as the Bush administration. Tell them that workers need and deserve these protections to prevent crippling workplace injuries. Ask them to support the OSHA ergonomics standard and to oppose any attempts to take away this important worker protection.
• Contact local reporters and write letters to the editor to let the public know why workers in your community need these protections.

The AFL-CIO has prepared materials to help you in this fight. Click here for a sample letter to members of Congress. A copy of the standard and background information can be found on OSHA's website at www.osha.gov.

Thank you for all your hard work. Let's keep up the fight so that working men and women keep the hard-won protections they need and deserve.