Rhode Island labor activists want US Senator Lincoln Chafee to help prevent sore wrists, back sprains, and other workplace muscle injuries, but Chafee has yet to decide whether to support their proposal.

The Rhode Island Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (RICOSH) and the Rhode Island AFL-CIO are backing legislation proposed by US Senators John Breaux, Democrat of Louisiana, and Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, to order the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop an ergonomics standard in two years.

Ergonomics is the science of adjusting work to prevent injuries. Solutions may be as simple as raising a conveyor belt, so warehouse workers don't bend to lift heavy shipping cartons. Or they may involve completely redesigning machinery to prevent the repetitive hand motions that cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Thirty-four percent of all workplace injuries during the last decade were musculoskeletal disorders, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Although ergonomics can prevent many injuries, Laurie White, senior vice president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, says her organization opposes a regulation. "We work for employee education [such as proper lifting techniques or handling of hypodermic needles] rather than mandatory regulations, given the cost," she says. Workers also sometimes fear that job redesign will eliminate or adversely affect their work. Wrist injuries among court reporters could be prevented, for example, by replacing them with audio or video recording equipment.

Ergonomics regulations have a tortured history in Washington. In the mid-'90s the Republican Congress barred the use of OSHA funds to develop a regulation. Then, when a standard was finally issued during the last days of the Clinton administration, Congress repealed it. US Senator Jack Reed and US Representatives Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin voted to retain the safety rule, but Chafee helped to provide the 56-44 margin for repeal in the Senate. At the time, the new Bush administration promised to develop a more business-friendly proposal.

In April, the Bush administration offered its plan of voluntary industry guidelines. The plan was saluted by the National Association of Manufacturers and US Chamber of Commerce, but panned by the AFL-CIO as a "meaningless measure that provides workers with no real protection." In response, Breaux and Specter proposed legislation ordering OSHA to issue enforceable regulations by 2004. Reed is a co-sponsor and Langevin and Kennedy support similar legislation in the House, but Chafee "has not yet decided," says spokesman Jeff Neal. The moderate Republican wants to talk with business and labor to determine if business concerns are legitimate, Neal says.

Celenza and Rhode Island AFL-CIO secretary treasurer George Nee have spoken with Chafee's staff, but they received no commitment. "A lot may depend on how much he hears from people around here," comments Celenza.

Issue Date: May 24 - 30 2002