OSHA to Unveil Ergonomic Rules

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will take the first step to require many employers to provide work spaces and equipment to support the physical makeup of each individual doing his job, a proposal that could cover an estimated 27 million people who work at computers, on assembly lines or at other jobs that require either repetitive motions or heavy lifting. “As we talk about the workplace of the 21st century, this is an increasingly important issue for American workers,” Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman said. The proposal follows almost eight years of intense opposition from business and some members of Congress, who insist no rule should be issued until there is scientific evidence that “ergonomic” problems at work cause these injuries.