WHEREAS:
Back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the nation's number one worksite safety problem, causing over 600,000 workers to miss work each year; and
WHEREAS:
Women workers are disproportionately affected by ergonomic injuries, as women make up just under half the workforce yet account for about two-thirds of repetitive motion injuries; and
WHEREAS:
Work-related MSDs are caused by awkward postures, repetitive motion, forceful movements, vibration and other working conditions that place a harmful strain on workers' bodies; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME members who operate computers, lift or move patients and residents, drive school buses, clean buildings, collect refuse, maintain roads and other public works projects, or work in many other occupations are exposed to working conditions that cause MSDs; and
WHEREAS:
Ergonomic programs that have the full support of management and the involvement of workers significantly reduce injuries, pain, lost-work days, and workers compensation costs by identifying MSD risk factors and changing working conditions to reduce exposure to ergonomic hazards; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME has for many years assisted affiliates in addressing ergonomic problems by providing training, technical assistance and help in collective bargaining and labor-management forums, and producing literature, articles, and updates on the AFSCME web site; and
WHEREAS:
After nearly 10 years of industry-backed roadblocks by Congress, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor has finally released a proposed ergonomics rule to protect workers from MSDs; and
WHEREAS:
In 1999, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 987) prohibiting OSHA from issuing an ergonomics standard until the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) examines the issue, even though NAS reviewed the issue of ergonomics and published a report in 1998 that supported the need for a standard; and
WHEREAS:
Only a Democratic-led filibuster in 1999 prevented the U.S. Senate from passing similar legislation (S.1070) to block an OSHA ergonomics rule; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME has been in the forefront of the current OSHA rulemaking in support of an ergonomics standard, and AFSCME members have repeatedly testified in public hearings about injuries that have occurred and successful ergonomics programs that employers have implemented to prevent injuries.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will continue its efforts in the rulemaking process to ensure that the final ergonomics rule will provide the protections that AFSCME members and other workers need and deserve; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will continue to fight all legislative attempts to prevent OSHA from issuing a final rule on ergonomics; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will continue to provide training, technical and other assistance to affiliates in their efforts to have effective ergonomics programs established by their employers.
SUBMITTED BY:
Saul Schniderman, President
Mary Ann Ferrarese, Secretary
AFSCME Local 2910, Council 26
Washington, DC