Industry considers ergonomics protection
By Industrial Distribution Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 5/1/1999
POLITICIANS AND BUSINESS groups are lining up to oppose a proposed ergonomics protection standard that is designed to reduce muscular and skeletal disorders caused by the repetitive motions performed by America's workforce.Should the Occupational Safety and Health Administration meet its goal of establishing a firm ergonomics standard for U.S. businesses by 2000, it may bring opportunities for training, engineering and product sales to the safety equipment industry. Many safety equipment distributors already include ergonomic products -- such as back supports, anti-vibration gloves, workstation products, anti-fatigue mats and carpal tunnel splints.
Much of the opposition to the proposed standards revolves around the long-debated issue of ergonomics' legitimacy. Opposing lawmakers, led by Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., are urging OSHA to wait for results of a $1 million National Academy of Sciences study of ergonomics commissioned by Congress in 1998, which may take up to two years to finish. Business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Assn. of Manufacturers argue that the proposed standards are too broad and could cost businesses money and production time.
Vallen Safety Supply's customers who buy ergonomic products are looking for the industry's regulating body to provide some definitions, says Vallen sales manager Todd Guenther.
"Customers see the need for ergonomic products, but they aren't sure what their best solutions are, and above that they want answers to the question, 'What does the government say I have to do?'" says Guenther. "They want solid proof of the need, they want their employees to be safe and they want to meet the government's requirements. If the government doesn't have a stance on ergonomics, then how can they get their employees to comply?"
Potential users of ergonomic equipment fall under a broader range of categories than is typical of safety product end users, which may present a significant business opportunity for manufacturers and distributors of ergonomic equipment, says Thomas Votel, president and CEO of Ergodyne Corp., St. Paul, Minn. Ergodyne develops ergonomic products and programs that sell through distributors.
"This is one issue that affects every single part of the customer's operation, from the front office to the back of the plant," Votel says. "It's important to realize that while there is a plant and a warehousing application here, many of those very large end-user customers also have very large headquarters buildings where people are working in static positions. There is an opportunity for industrial distributors to get involved in this problem and help their customers holistically."
The high cost of workplace injuries
* Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) account for 34 percent of all lost-workday injuries and illnesses
* There were 647,000 lost workday WMSDs reported in 1996
* WMSDs account for $1 of every $3 spent for workers' compensation
* Each year, WMSDs account for more than $15-$20 billion in workers' compensation costs.
Source: www.osha.gov
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