P22 This month we'll continue to discuss ergonomics injuries.

Ergonomics injuries are typically classified as musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs. An MSD is an injury or disorder of the nervous system or soft tissue that can affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels and nerves. OSHA has reports that there are 1.8 million workers in the United States each year that report work-related MSDs related to ergonomics. Of that number, approximately 600,000 individuals are required to take time off work because of the injury.

From the numbers above, it is clear that ergonomics is a widespread issue that will need industry-specific guide-lines to help prevent their occurrence. OSHA's new plan of attack on ergonomics comes just a year after Congress rejected the previous Administration's rule, which was found to be too complicated and burdensome on businesses. During 2001, the Department of Labor conducted several public forums around the country and met with many stakeholders to collect comments and testimony in order to improve the nation's plan on battling ergonomic related injuries in the workplace.

For information on ergonomics and to follow the release of industry guide-lines please visit www.osha.gov.

For a copy of a free booklet on "Ergonomics and the Computer Workstation" please contact CCR's Marketing Department at lminerflynn@ccrweb.com.