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1987. ERGONOMICS PROGRAMS IN CONSTRUCTION (PART 1926): PREVENTING WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Priority: Economically Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined.

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 40 USC 333

CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1926

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Based on evidence that employers in the construction industry report to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 40,000 lost-time musculoskletal disorders (MSDs) occur among their workers every year. Accordingly, OSHA has decided to begin to gather information for future rulemaking to address these disorders. When the number of non-lost worktime MSDs in this workforce is added to the total, the annual number of MSDs experienced by construction workers is likely to exceed 200,000. Approximately one-third of the costs construction employers incur for workers' compensation every year goes to pay for these costly injuries. However, many work-related MSDs are preventable, and many low-cost methods of reducing worker exposure to ergonomic risk factors are now available for the construction industry. OSHA intends to publish an ANPR to gather information on the construction workers most at risk, feasible methods of reducing this risk, and successful ergonomics programs in construction.

Timetable: Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Marthe B. Kent, Acting Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Room N3718, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678

RIN: 1218-AB94

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