As stated in a press release on April 5th, 2002, the U.S. Department
of Labor has decided to implement "a comprehensive plan designed to
dramatically reduce ergonomic injuries through a combination of industry
targeted guidelines, tough enforcement efforts, workplace outreach,
and advanced research". For American industry this means that they will
be held responsible for implementing corrective actions if ergonomic
hazards exist in their workplace.
An ergonomic program implementation is voluntary up to the point where
OSHA, via plant inspections, deems that an unaddressed hazard exists,
and thus mandates a program of their design. The primary difference
between the current plan and the one proposed under the previous administration
is that, previously, all industry was to be mandated to implement an
OSHA designed program if an MSD hazard existed.
Now is the best time to implement a user-friendly program of your
design which is effective in reducing hazards and without negatively
impacting profitability. D.C.I. consultants are well versed in practical
methods of implementing a complete ergonomics program (i.e. pre-employment
screening, workplace redesign, medical management, etc). Our principal
partner, Douglas Coulter, served as chairman of the Food Industry Ergonomics
Working Group in the mid-90's which published industry guidelines for
ergonomic programs. Click on the left for a recent article Mr. Coulter
published on ergonomics.
Distribution Consulting International, L.L.C. - 2005
