Save Michigan's Ergonomics Standard

House Bill 5447, introduced by Representative Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), would prevent MIOSHA from issuing a state ergonomics rule that would require employers to provide their employees with training on ergonomic hazards in the workplace and ways to prevent those injuries from happening.

The House passed HB 5447 on January 17th and the Senate will vote on it the week of January 23rd. Please send the following letter to your State Senator urging them to vote "NO" on HB 5447.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please vote "NO" on HB 5447

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please vote no on HB 5447, introduced by Rep. Rick Jones, which would prevent MIOSHA from promulgating a rule regarding workplace ergonomics.

Workers in this state need an ergonomics standard to prevent crippling repetitive motion injuries. MIOSHA estimates that 50% of all worker compensation claims are for strains, sprain and repetitive motion injuries.

These injuries are also a tremendous financial drain on our economy. It has been conservatively estimated by OSHA that ergonomic injuries are costing our nation's economy more than $50 billion annually. Every year employers pay between $15 billion and $18 billion in workers' compensation costs alone.

I urge you not to get in the way of the work of the Ergonomic Standards Advisory Committee. Let them complete their mission so we can reduce the tremendous human and financial drain that ergonomic injuries are having on our economy.

Please vote no on HB 5447 or any other bill that would prevent MIOSHA from addressing the problem of ergonomic injuries in the workplace.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 12, 2006

Background Information

Republicans in the Michigan Legislature are planning to pass legislation that would prevent the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) from promulgating a new statewide ergonomics standard to prevent repetitive motion injuries in the workplace. Republican leadership in both the Senate and the House have said it is a top priority for the new legislative session.

Workers in this state need an ergonomics standard to prevent crippling repetitive motion injuries – in fact, it’s the state’s biggest job safety problem. MIOSHA estimates that 50% of all worker compensation claims are from strains, sprains and repetitive motion injuries. Surgery often results from repeated instances of these painful conditions.

In addition to the human costs, these injuries are a tremendous drain on the economy. On a national level, it has been conservatively estimated by OSHA that ergonomic injuries are costing our economy more than $50 billion annually. Every year employers pay between $15 billion in workers’ compensation costs alone. Yet, companies that have taken a proactive approach to the ergonomics problem have saved money while reducing workplace ergonomic injuries.

Michigan workers are suffering from preventable injuries that are costing employers millions in workers’ compensation and lost time costs. Something must be done to prevent these injuries. That’s why the Ergonomic Standards Advisory Committee must be allowed to complete their work and see if a new ergonomics standard can be developed. MIOSHA established an Ergonomics Standard Advisory Committee that is made up of equal representation from business and labor to see if a state ergonomics standard could be drafted. The advisory committee has been meeting for a couple of years and is currently on draft # 10 of a proposed new standard.