Today's proposal by the Clinton Administration for a workplace ergonomics standard is a major step forward in the fight to end crippling workplace injuries. Despite an unrelenting and mean-spirited campaign by big business groups and anti-worker members of Congress to block these important protections, the public will finally have a chance to be heard.

The proposed rule — which requires employers to implement ergonomics programs for hazardous jobs — will significantly reduce injuries and illnesses, lower workers' compensation costs and improve productivity. In its final form, the rule should be expanded to cover workers in the construction, agriculture and maritime industries and require employers to fix hazardous jobs before workers are injured.

The broad support for the OSHA ergonomics standard from the safety and health professional community — from doctors, nurses, industrial hygienists and safety engineers — is validation that the scientific evidence on ergonomics is strong. It confirms what workers have known for years — that these injuries are caused by workplace hazards and can be prevented. The recent state action on ergonomics regulations in California and Washington provides further support for the federal OSHA rule.

Nine years have passed since the Bush Administration committed to developing an ergonomics standard to protect workers. Since then more than six million workers have suffered serious injuries from ergonomic hazards. Government action to prevent the crippling of working men and women is long overdue.

The AFL-CIO will do everything we can to help OSHA complete this rule making and to issue a strong final standard to protect workers. We hope that responsible employers who believe in protecting workers' safety and health will join us in this effort.