Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention programs in the workplace, often called ergonomics programs, have been shown to lower business costs due to decreased lost time, decreased incidence of injury, and decreased workers' compensation costs.

California and Washington already have ergonomics standards on the books. With the Federal Government taking an apparent hiatus on ergonomics, some states are proposing their own regulations.

Ending 10 years of litigation, Beverly Enterprises agreed to adopt specific ergonomic measures to reduce injuries to employees performing patient lifts. Beverly will withdraw its contest of the citations and OSHA will withdraw proposed penalties.

In the settlement, OSHA explains that a case is work-related if, and only if, a work event or exposure is a discernible cause of the injury or illness.

ANSI and AAMI have released a new standard relating ergonomics and human factors to the design of medical devices.

On the issue of the ergonomics standard, Swanson said that perhaps this December or January the DOL might come out with guidance on the issue.

The definition of an MSD is part of provisions delayed in OSHA's new recordkeeping rule.

The Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee voted 11-10 in favor of the nomination of Eugene Scalia.

Group publishes opinion on work related MSDs. Opinion includes current EU regulations and suggests a more comprehensive framework for new MSD regulation.