제 목 : NIOSH Review Supports Ergonomic Concerns
일 자 : 1997년 10월
제공처 : Safety + health(OSHA Update)
NIOSH Review Supports Ergonomic Concerns
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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently
gave OSHA ammunition in its effort to push ergonomics regulation.
NIOSH reviewed more than 600 epidemiologic studies, saying they
show "strong evidence" of a link between musculoskeletal disorders
and work-related physical factors.
OSHA called the NIOSH review "objective," and said it includes
widespread peer review.
OSHA says the NIOSH review makes unnecessary any similar analysis
by the National Academy of Sciences. The Republican majority in
Congress and many employer groups urge completion of an NAS study
before any ergonomics regulations are adopted. But OSHA warns that
such a review would take a long time, allowing injury of many more
workers.
But the NIOSH report, among other faults, does not indicate causes
and preventions for back, hand,wrist, elbow, shoulder and neck injuries,
says Thomas J.Donohue,former president of the American Trucking Associations
and current president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Without an NAS re-
view of "all" research on the issue,an OSHA regulation likely will be
"incredibly costly," without assuring "the prevention of a single in-
iury," he says.
On the other hand, Margaret Seminario, AFL-CIO's safety and
health director, calls the NIOSH report 'terrific,' and says it shows
clearly that "there is a very significant problem."
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