Committee Nixes Ergonomics Mandate
By Steven Brostoff, Washington Editor
NU Online News Service, July 19, 4:08 p.m. EST, Washington?The Senate Appropriations Committee has declined to adopt language mandating that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration promulgate a new rule on ergonomics, a decision that drew praise from the insurance industry.
Instead of a mandate, the committee provided $2 million in discretionary funding that could be used by OSHA if it decide to promulgate a new ergonomics rule.
"The Senate Appropriations Committee's restraint in not mandating a new ergonomics rule was appropriate and reflective of the clear lack of consensus on the need for a new rule," said John Savercool, vice president of federal affairs for the Washington-based American Insurance Association.
Deborah Sherno, a representative of the Downers Grove, Ill.-based Alliance of American Insurers, called the Committee's action "reassuring," but said the Alliance will remain alert to any possible future attempts to mandate a new ergonomics rule. The issue involves, S. 2184 legislation approved earlier this year by the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee, that would require OSHA to issue a new ergonomics rule within two years.
The Senate Appropriations Committee was considering incorporating the S. 2184 language into the fiscal year 2003 Labor Department appropriations bill. However, during a committee session late yesterday, members decided against that approach, opting instead for establishment of the $2 million discretionary fund which allows OSHA to issue a new rule, but does not require a new rule.
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