Unit 2 Discussion
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
passed a comprehensive ergonomics standard on November 14, 2000, which became
effective on January 16, 2001. This standard would have regulated ergonomic
hazards across industries in the United States. The U.S. Congress used the Congressional
Review Act of 1996 to repeal the ergonomics standard on March 20, 2001. OSHA
has been limited on the regulation of ergonomic hazards since that time. OSHA
currently regulates ergonomic hazards using the “general duty clause”
and issues guidelines for specific industries with high incidence rates for
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
1. Do you think Congress was correct in repealing the
comprehensive ergonomics standard? Should OSHA continue to regulate ergonomic
hazards through the general duty clause and issue guidelines for specific
industries?
2. If not, what approach would you suggest for OSHA?
Please include the name of the person or question to which
you are replying in the subject line. For example, “Tom’s response to
Susan’s comment.”
