Pete Stark: “I am opposed to S.J. Res. 6 to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's ergonomics standard. Using the…”

“I am opposed to S.J. Res. 6 to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's ergonomics standard. Using the Congressional Review Act to overturn the OSHA ergonomics standard would be an extraordinary action, the first of its kind. It would be the first time in 30 years Congress reversed a legally established worker safety measure. It would be the first time CRA has been used to overturn any federal rule or regulation, much less one that was issued through ten years of public process. The regulations, scheduled to go into effect this October, draw from the businesses that have successfully prevented ergonomic injuries or reduced their severity in the workplace. Repetitive injuries are one of the leading causes of work-related illness. More that 647,000 American workers suffer serious injuries and illnesses due to musculoskeletal disorders, costing businesses $15 to $20 billion annually in workers' compensation costs. The standard--ten years in the making--could be overturned without any meaningful consideration of the facts and without workers having a chance to be heard. One hour of debate time is insufficient when it comes to the health and safety of the American worker. Don't be misled. Use of the CRA would not send the standard back to the drawing board. Rather, it would effectively prohibit OSHA from issuing a protective standard to address the nation's largest job safety program.”