Biden Sets the Hill Record Straight on Safety Standard

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/09/27/biden-sets-the-hill-record-straight-on-safety-standard/

by Mike Hall, Sep 27, 2007

Last week, we reported that Democratic presidential candidates planned to pursue tough new workplace ergonomics rules if they reach the White House, including reinstating the ergonomics standard President Bush repealed in 2001, shortly after he took office.

The rule was designed to reduce the repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome that strike more than 1 million workers a year.

Based on a story on TheHill.com, we wrote that several candidates supported reviving the Bush-killed rule, while others wanted to pursue a new standard, but that Sen. Joe Biden believed tough enforcement of current laws and adding inspectors at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration could do the job.

Biden tells us that’s not correct. He says:

We need to guarantee American workers the safety they deserve. I believe that all employees should be covered by regulations that ensure a safe working environment and their personal safety on the job. I have been a supporter of OSHA regulations since my early days in the Senate, and time and time again I have voted to extend OSHA regulations and have vigorously opposed efforts to restrict the application of OSHA coverage. I oppose President Bush’s repeal of the OSHA ergonomics mandate and would reinstate ergonomics protections.

FULL story at link.

Thanks Steve for posting this.