Ergonomics Plan Postponed -- Again

ByMichael A. Verespej The federal government's latest plan for managing ergonomic issues to prevent workplace injuries -- expected to be unveiled this month -- has been delayed until late fall. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) held hearings in July in four cities in order to develop a plan to replace the ergonomics regulation of the Clinton Administration that was overturned this past January by Congress. But the latest ergonomics initiative was again put on the back burner Sept. 24 when OSHA announced that its resources have been temporarily redirected toward the rescue and recovery efforts at both the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. The on-again, off-again controversial safety standard has been in the making for more than 10 years and three administrations.