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If the Democrats win the presidential election, ergonomics rules could resurface

Hospital Safety Connection, December 5, 2007

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The Washington Times ran a lengthy article this week about the likely re-emergence of federal ergonomic regulations if a Democrat becomes president in 2009.

All of the major Democratic candidates have indicated they support tougher ergonomic rules, likely through OSHA, reported The Times.
OSHA published an ergonomics standard in November 2000, just before President Clinton left office, with an in-effect date of January 1, 2001.

However, on March 9, 2001--after President Bush took office--the Republican-led Congress repealed the ergonomics standard through the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers to review major rules issued by federal agencies within 60 days of a rule taking effect.

A provision of the Congressional Review Act could present a hurdle to a future ergonomics standard: Under the act, Congress can't simply bring back repealed regulations if they are substantially the same as before, according to The Times.

Plantinum subscribers to the Hospital Safety Center can view more information about ergonomics concerns by clicking here.

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