Labor Department to develop voluntary guidelines to reduce workplace injuries

Friday, April 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Labor Department officials said Friday they will develop voluntary guidelines for certain industries to reduce workplace injuries, replacing sweeping regulations repealed last year by Congress.

``This plan is a major improvement over the rejected old rule because it will prevent ergonomics injuries before they occur and reach a much larger number of at-risk workers,'' Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said in a prepared statement.

Chao has been criticized by Democrats for failing to quickly develop an agencywide plan for reducing ergonomics-related injuries in the workplace after a high-profile repeal of Clinton-era regulations last year by a Congress then controlled by Republicans.

The four-part plan, obtained by The Associated Press, was to be announced later Friday by Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials.

The plan includes:

_A move by OSHA to develop voluntary guidelines aimed at certain industries and certain tasks. OSHA officials expect to release the guidelines in about six months, and also plan to encourage other businesses and industries to develop their own policies.

Officials plan to look at injury and illness rates for various industries to determine which ones could benefit from such guidelines.

_Targeted enforcement. The agency will not focus its enforcement efforts on employers that have implemented ``effective'' ergonomics programs or ``who are making good-faith efforts to reduce ergonomics hazards.''

OSHA will conduct specialized training of certain staff on workplace hazards, and plans to designate 10 regional coordinators to be involved in enforcement and outreach.

_Outreach and assistance. OSHA plans to offer training grants to help address workplace injuries, and will set up an Internet site to promote safety and prevention. A special effort will be aimed at Hispanics and immigrant workers, many of whom work in industries with high ergonomic-related hazard rates.

_Research. OSHA plans to develop an advisory committee to study ergonomics and identify areas that need attention.

Congress repealed Clinton-era regulations more than a year ago after a big legislative fight that pitted business groups against labor unions. The regulations would have required employers to make changes to reduce worker injuries related to ergonomics, and in some cases compensate injured workers.

After the repeal, Chao promised a ``comprehensive plan'' by her agency to reduce such injuries. Democrats and labor unions have pushed for new regulations and oppose any voluntary approach.

The Labor Department, in prepared briefing papers, defended the policy, saying exposure to ergonomics-related injuries is not well-understood or easily measured, making regulations for all industries difficult.