The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has delayed full implementation of rules affecting occupational hearing loss and ergonomic injuries.
Those rules mandate employer recordkeeping for occupational hearing loss and musculoskeletal disorders.
"OSHA has taken the appropriate action," says Donald B. Shea, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) president and CEO. "Neither of these reporting requirements would enhance worker safety."
The RMA and many other business organizations fought for and won congressional repeal of an ergonomics regulation earlier this year.
"Many of RMA's members have implemented flexible and effective ergonomics programs and believe they have increased employee safety and health while maintaining productivity," Shea added.
Also, the RMA is opposed to the criterion for recording work-related hearing loss at 10 decibels due to concerns over the testing environments and testing procedures. It does support the adoption of a 20-decibel threshold, the RMA states.
