While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is busy readying a new Injury and Illness Program standard, dubbed I2P2 and set to be launched in June, administrator David Michaels has made it clear that he hopes to focus on ergonomic issues as well.
Though OSHA's previous ergonomics standard was killed by the Bush administration, Michaels and OSHA this time around aren't specifically talking a new standard yet, but they do intend to require companies to record musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on the Form 300 log beginning in January 2012. This regulation is currently under review by the Office of Management and Business (OMB).
Regulating ergonomics falls under the purview of OSHA by dint of the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)) of the OSH Act of 1970. It is thus incumbent upon American businesses to provide a safe working environment that eliminates or minimizes MSDs. (The primary causes of MSDs are repetitive motion, repetitive stress, forceful exertions, awkward postures, contact stress, and vibration.)
Personnel Concepts, after tracking recent developments at OSHA regarding MSDs and ergonomics, has just published its Ergonomics Safety Program to help businesses comply with the General Duty Clause. The kit comes with a manual, an interactive CD, a poster, and reproducible forms, including MSD Injury Report Forms. Get yours today.