|
Protections from Crippling
Workplace Injuries Threatened Opponents
Seek Repeal of OSHA Ergonomics Standard
After ten long years of struggle, workers
in this country finally won protections
to prevent crippling repetitive strain
injuries, the nation’s biggest job safety
problem. OSHA’s new ergonomics standard
was issued in November 2000 and went into
effect on January 16, 2001. But with Republicans
controlling Congress and the White House,
this new worker protection measure is in
danger, as opponents aim to repeal this
important standard.
The ergonomics standard is the most significant
job safety measure ever issued to protect
workers. It will prevent hundreds of thousands
of injuries each year by requiring employers
to implement ergonomics programs and fix
jobs where musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
occur. The rule is a huge step forward
and will bring about major improvements
in workplace safety.
The National Academy of Sciences has issued
a report showing that OSHA’s ergonomics
standard is based on strong science and
that the interventions required by the
standard will reduce workplace MSDs.
Nonetheless, the same Big Business groups
and anti-worker members of Congress that
waged a relentless campaign to try to stop
the ergonomics standard from being issued
are now gearing up to repeal the rule.
House Majority Leader Rep. Dick Armey (R-Texas)
and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo) have vowed to
introduce legislation in the 107th Congress
to overturn the standard. Attacks on the
standard likely will come early in the
year on several fronts:
Legislation to repeal the ergonomics
standard through a resolution of disapproval
under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Under
this law, Congress can act to overturn
issued rules. A resolution to disapprove
a rule can’t be amended or filibustered.
This law is the nuclear bomb of deregulation.
If a rule is overturned and repealed,
the agency is prohibited from issuing
another similar rule unless Congress
gives special permission. This would
make it almost impossible for OSHA ever
to set a strong standard to protect workers
from ergonomic hazards.
An amendment to OSHA’s budget to prohibit
the application or enforcement of the
ergonomics standard. This is the
tactic used in the past by Republicans.
With President George W. Bush in the
White House, there would be no veto to
stop such a prohibition.
Action by the Bush Administration
to stay or suspend the rule. This
would put a hold on the standard pending
a reopening of the rule-making process
or the outcome of the legal challenges
to the standard. During this time the
Bush administration could issue a new
proposal to repeal or weaken the existing
standard.
Action Needed to Defend the
Ergonomics Standard
The fight to defend the ergonomics standard
will be a major battle. We need to build
broad public and congressional support
for this important worker protection. Please
join the fight to stop opponents’ efforts
to take away this hard-won protection.
#Share this fact sheet and information about
the importance of protecting workers and
this new safeguard with your members and
the public through your publications and
electronic communications. Urge them to
join this effort.
#Call or write your members of
Congress and the Bush Administration.
Tell them that workers need and deserve
these protections to prevent crippling
workplace injuries. Ask them to protect
workers by supporting the OSHA ergonomics
standard and to oppose any attempts to
take away this important worker protection.
#Contact local reporters and write
letters to the editor to let the public
know why workers in your community need
these protections.
#Sign up to join the Stop the Pain
Campaign and receive regular updates
on the fight and how you can help protect
workers from crippling injuries. You
can sign up on the AFL-CIO website at: www.aflcio.org/safety.
The AFL-CIO has prepared materials to
help you in this fight. Materials and information
are available on the AFL-CIO website at www.aflcio.org/safety or
from the AFL-CIO Safety and Health Department,
815 16th Street N.W., Washington
D.C., 20006; phone: 202-637-5366; fax:
202-508-6978.
Prepared by: AFL-CIO
Safety and Health Department, January
2001
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Representative/Senator__________:
I am writing to ask you to oppose any
efforts to overturn new protections from
crippling workplace injuries.
On Nov. 14, 2000, the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) issued
its final standard to protect workers from
repetitive strain injuries and back injuries.
This new safety and health protection
took 10 years to develop. It will prevent
hundreds of thousands of injuries each
year and spare workers unnecessary pain,
suffering and disability.
For years Big Business groups and some
members of Congress have waged a campaign
to block the ergonomics standard. Now that
it’s the law, they want to repeal this
important safeguard.
Millions of workers suffered serious injuries
because this standard was delayed. It’s
time to stop the pain and keep more workers
from being hurt.
Please oppose any efforts to take away
this important worker protection.
Thank you.
|
