WASHINGTON (April 23, 2002)—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's “four-pronged” plan for revising federal ergonomics standards is popular with the tire industry, less so with labor unions.
Under the yet-to-be-fleshed-out government proposal, “our members can create programs that address the needs of their businesses, rather than trying to fit into one-size-fits-all,” said Becky MacDicken, director of government affairs for the Tire Association of North America. But the American Federation of State, County and Federal Employees said the plan “ignores over a decade of careful research and discussion on the problem.”
Congress killed the Clinton administration's ergonomics standard, which was heavily supported by labor but despised by industry, early last year.