OSHA Effective Ergonomics: FOH contributes to a “Strategy For Success”

On April 5, 2002, Labor Secretary Chao released OSHA`s new ergonomics strategy, outlining this administration’s approach to further reducing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. The Secretary indicated the new approach is a significant improvement over the previous rejected rule since it emphasizes prevention and will cover a larger number of at-risk workers. The long awaited plan is the result of synthesized information gathered from work on the previous docket, input from public forums and stakeholders, along with information from experts and related sources. Effective Ergonomics is described as a “Four Pronged, Comprehensive Approach” that encompasses:

Guidelines that will be industry or task specific, based on injury and illness incidence rates and have demonstrated effectiveness.

Enforcement that combines inspections with a legal strategy utilizing OSHA’s General Duty Clause for prosecuting industries with serious violations

Compliance Assistance that provides tools, information on guidelines and successful programs as well as an Outreach component to assist Hispanic and other immigrant workers with limited English proficiency. Currently listed are eTools providing information on topics as: Baggage Handling, Computer Workstations, among others.

Ergonomics Research that includes the formation of a national advisory committee to identify gaps in ergonomics knowledge and its application to the workplace. OSHA will work closely with NIOSH and other organizations serving as a catalyst facilitating needed research.

Federal managers will find this initial set of information beneficial for understanding the administration’s ergonomics strategy, with more specific benefits made available in the basic reference material for addressing workplace musculoskeletal injury prevention. Details of OSHA’s Effective Ergonomics can be found on its internet site at http://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/index.html

FOH, with extensive ergonomics expertise and experience, provides services to Federal managers (both regionally and nationally) which are consistent with OSHA`s empahsis on prevention as a part of the four pronged approach described above . . FOH does this through preventive and remedial ergonomics services for assessing ergonomic program needs and designing specific program solutions to meet the needs of your agency. FOH provides ergonomics training, and applies the eTool approach with one of its' newest offerings, a web based Interactive Office Ergonomics Training Program. Management and Employee Seminars, Workplace Design and Reasonable Accomodation Consultations, and Return To Work Assessments are among the other ergonomic prevention programs provided through FOH.

For further information on how FOH can assist you and your agency with its ergonomics or other occupational health needs contact FOH’s Ergonomics Program Manager @ 415-437-8123.