The occupational safety and health administration's role in ergonomics

Abstract

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has developed a draft Ergonomic Protection Standard. The goal of having such a standard is to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders or reduce the severity of such injuries. The guidelines address identification of problem jobs, control of risk factor exposures, ergonomic design, training and documentation. How businesses and employees will be affected if the draft becomes a guideline is addressed in this paper. Also addressed is the possible role that occupational therapists may play in ergonomics if such a guideline is implemented.