Ergonomics—Where Things Stand and Next Steps

Thanks to everyone's hard work, we had a major victory Oct. 7 when Senate Republicans failed to pass an amendment to the FY 2000 Labor—HHS funding bill to prohibit OSHA from proceeding with a proposed or final ergonomics standard. However, the fight is not over. Opponents of the rule have promised to bring up the anti-ergonomics measure again. In addition, the fight for an ergonomics standard in the state of Washington is heating up, as industry opponents are trying to stop that standard as well. Here's an overview of where things stand and the actions that are needed to win protections for workers.

Update on the Federal Legislative Situation

On Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999, Sen. Bond failed in his efforts to add an amendment to the Labor—HHS funding bill to block the OSHA ergonomics rule. Democratic opponents of the amendment were geared up to debate the issue and prepared to filibuster the amendment. When it became clear that the Democrats were prepared to hold up the bill on the ergonomics amendment, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), the Republican leader, pulled the amendment. Sens. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and others did a terrific job in the debate. Many other senators were prepared and ready to join in the opposition when Sen. Lott pulled the amendment. If you're interested in reading the debate, it can be found in the Oct. 7 Congressional Record , pgs. S12159-S12176.

However, the fight in Congress is not over. Sen. Lott has made clear that he will try to bring the anti-ergonomics measure up again, either as a freestanding bill or as an amendment to another bill, before the end of this congressional session, tentatively scheduled for the end of October. It is also possible that Republicans will try to attach the anti-ergo amendment to the House version of the Labor—HHS funding bill if it comes to the House floor for a vote. Or, if there is no final action on the Labor—HHS funding bill, they may try to include it in a larger overall funding bill to keep the government operating.

The bottom line is that the fight is far from over. We need to continue to contact members of Congress, particularly senators, urging them to oppose this measure and to block any attempts to bring it to the floor for a vote.

We'll keep you informed of further developments on the legislative front.

OMB Still Reviewing OSHA'S Proposed Ergo Rule

The Office of Management and Budget has extended its review of the proposed OSHA ergonomics standard. Under the executive order, the review was supposed to be completed within 90 days (by Oct. 1), but OMB has said it needs more time to complete its review. It's important that OSHA get the proposed rule out as soon as possible, so that the comment period and public hearing process can begin. If the rule is not proposed shortly, there will be no way that OSHA can complete the rulemaking process and issue a final rule before the end of this administration. Please send a letter to OMB Director Jacob Lew urging OMB to complete its review of the OSHA ergonomics standard so the public rulemaking process on this important rule can begin. Also tell him the proposed OSHA standard needs to be stronger, not weaker, in order to protect workers. Letters can be addressed to: Jacob Lew, Director, Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503.

Ergo Fight Moves to Washington State

The Washington State Occupational Safety and Health Administration is working on a proposed ergonomics standard, scheduled to be published for comments before the end of the year. Industry groups have started a campaign to stop this important standard, just as they did for the federal OSHA standard, the North Carolina standard and the California ergo standard. We need to gear up to fight for and support the ergonomics standard in the state of Washington. It's quite likely that the rule will be stronger than the federal OSHA rule, particularly in covering all workers. It also is likely that the Washington state rule will be issued in final form before the federal OSHA standard, and thus would be helpful in our overall efforts to win ergonomic protections for workers.

We need to counter industry efforts to stop this rule. Please write Gary Moore, the director of the Department of Labor and Industries in the state of Washington, and let him know that this is an important standard that is needed to protect workers. His address is: Gary Moore, Director of the Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44001, Olympia, Wash., 98504-4001. You also may e-mail your letters to moga235@lni.wa.gov. Click here for a sample letter in support of the Washington state ergonomics rule. More information about the Washington state ergonomics standard can be found at http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/ergo/Default.htm.

For more information or with questions about this update, contact Peg Seminario or Deborah Weinstock at the AFL-CIO Safety and Health Department.