Insurance Groups Support Ergo Plan
By Steven Brostoff, Washington Editor
NU Online News Service, Aug. 27, 2:26 p.m. EST, Washington?Six major trade associations have adopted a resolution supporting the ergonomic injury plan issued April 5 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The associations said they support OSHA's concept of voluntary, industry-specific guidelines for reducing ergonomic injuries. Any guidelines, the associations say, should be based on generally accepted scientific finding and not interfere with state workers' compensation programs.
The associations signing the resolution are the American Insurance Association, Washington; the Alliance of American Insurers, Downers Grove, Ill.; the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, Washington; the National Association of Independent Insurers, Des Plaines, Ill.; the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, Indianapolis; and UWC?Strategic Services on Unemployment and Workers' Compensation, Washington.
In announcing its plan to reduce ergonomic injuries, OSHA said it would develop industry-specific and task-specific guidelines. In addition, OSHA said, it will encourage businesses and industries to immediately develop additional guidelines of their own.
In terms of enforcement, OSHA said it will focus on cracking down on violators by coordinating inspections with a legal strategy designed for successful prosecution.
OSHA also formed a national advisory committee to identify research gaps and stimulate and encourage activity in those areas.
In praising OSHA's plan, the six trade associations said that efforts to address ergonomic injuries must be confined to consideration of workplace occurrences. These efforts, the groups said, must exclude injuries that result from, or are exacerbated by, activities unrelated to employment.
The resolution from the associations supporting OSHA is mentioned on OSHA's web site.
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