NSC-01-102 SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATORY UPDATE

Description:

Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress passed and the President has signed a resolution of disapproval of OSHA's final ergonomics standard. The ergonomics standard was published on November 14, 2000 and the standard became effective on January 16, 2001. Since Public Law 107-5 invalidates the standard, OSHA officially removed it from the Code of Federal Regulations effective April 23, 2001. However, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao has remarked that "doing nothing is not an option" on ergonomics. It appears OSHA strategy may take one of three possible courses; (1) promulgate a new rule, (2) issue voluntary guidelines, or (3) use the General Duty Clause. Several State OSHA plans also regulate ergonomics including California, Washington, and North Carolina.