While the conference committee is busy formulating a final Labor-HHS bill to present to President Clinton, OSHA is spinning its wheels in preparation for a final ergonomics standard by the end of the year.

If OSHA's proposed ergonomics standard isn't confusing enough, try examining OSHA's task of implementing a new standard.

Proposals are being accepted until Oct. 27 for $4.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations for safety and health training under the Occupation Safety and Health Administration's Susan Harwood Training Grants program.

A memorandum of understanding was recently signed between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offering new worker protection to flight attendants.

Government safety inspectors will not routinely request that employers who voluntarily evaluate work sites for potential safety and health problems provide the findings to the government during safety and health inspections.

On June 22, the U.S. Senate voted 57-41 to adopt an amendment that prohibits OSHA from implementing the proposed ergonomics standards.

The informal public hearing on the economic impact of the proposed ergonomics standard on state and local governments, the United States Postal Service and railroads scheduled to begin July 7, 2000, will be held in Atlanta, OSHA announced today.

Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., has asked OSHA to postpone a hearing scheduled for July 7.

The House Appropriations Committee voted to amend this year's biggest spending bill by barring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed ergonomics standards.