A group of six insurance organizations and associations issued a resolution last month supporting OSHA’s plan to reduce ergonomic workplace injuries and illnesses, calling it a “sensible and balanced approach to addressing workplace ergonomic exposures.” The groups supporting the resolution include American Insurance Association, Alliance of American Insurers, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, National Association of Independent Insurers, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and UWC-Strategic Services on Unemployment & Workers’ Compensation.
Other industry representatives also voiced support:
The Department of Labor appears to have listened to the concerns of small business in developing its new approach to curbing workplace injuries … I commend Secretary Chao and OSHA Assistant Secretary Henshaw for seriously considering the comments and concerns of small business owners in developing this strategy…
Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy,
Small Business Administration
The American Trucking Associations has long been an advocate for workplace safety and common sense, scientific measures that would help reduce injuries in the workplace. Today we welcome Labor Secretary Chao’s recommendations regarding OSHA regulations….
William Canary, president and CEO,
American Trucking Associations
OSHA’s prepared guidelines are a preventative approach that employers can readily incorporate into their existing safety efforts … We look forward to participating with OSHA on this initiative.
Deborah V. DiBenedetto, President
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
We are delighted that the four-pronged program announced recently by OSHA incorporates three of the main components of our recommendations for revising the ergonomics standard … Last year the NAII provided OSHA with three specific recommendations that included an aggressive education campaign, enhanced technical assistance and partnership development.
Arlene Ryndak, National Association of Independent
Insurers (NAII) loss control manager
We applaud President Bush and his administration for their recently announced plan to reduce workplace MSD injuries. . . . Developing information about what works and providing assistance in applying it industry-by-industry and business-by-business in a mode of assistance rather than through the use of citations and penalties is the best approach. Employers already want to reduce workplace MSD injuries. What they lack is information and assistance on how to do it.
Gary Smith, Executive Director, Independent Business Association, Redmond, Washington
This article originally appeared in The Ergonomics Report™ on 2002-09-01.