Nickles fights to overturn Clinton OSHA regulations

WASHINGTON (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Don Nickles wants to abolish workplace safety regulations the Clinton administration imposed just before leaving office. <br><br>Nickles, R-Okla., is expected to use the 1996

Sunday, March 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Don Nickles wants to abolish workplace safety regulations the Clinton administration imposed just before leaving office.

Nickles, R-Okla., is expected to use the 1996 Congressional Review Act to call for a Senate vote overturning rules designed to protect workers from harm such as repetitive stress injuries.

The senator plans to seek the unprecedented vote this week, the Tulsa World reported.

A handful of other Republican senators are joining his fight to overturn the workplace rules created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

If a vote succeeds, it will be the first time the Congressional Review Act has been used essentially to veto a federal regulation.

Nickles has long been an opponent of the regulations.

Many businesses say the rules are too far-reaching, complex and expensive to enforce.

Supporters, who include labor unions, say the rules are necessary to protect American workers from carpal tunnel syndrome and other injuries caused by ergonomically unsound jobs.