April 30, 2002
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Public Affairs
WASHINGTON -- John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary
of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, today announced
details about the formation of the National Advisory Committee
on Ergonomics. This committee is part of OSHA's comprehensive
approach to reducing ergonomic-related injuries and illnesses
in the workplace.
"Our four-pronged approach for continuing and accelerating
the reduction of ergonomic-related injuries and illnesses in
the workplace -- guidelines, research, outreach and assistance,
and enforcement -- will benefit from the experience and expertise
of the members of this committee," said Henshaw. "I
expect the committee to be a valuable resource in helping OSHA
accelerate the decline of these types of injuries."
The committee will advise on a number of issues involving
information on various industry or task-specific guidelines;
identification of gaps in the existing research on ergonomics
and the application of ergonomic principles to the workplace;
current and projected research needs and efforts; methods of
providing outreach and assistance that will communicate the value
of ergonomics to employers and employees; and ways to increase
communication among stakeholders on the issue of ergonomics.
"Helping identify gaps in existing research is an important
part of the work of this committee," continued Henshaw.
"We look forward to working with the research community,
including other government agencies such as NIOSH, in filling
those gaps and constructing a more complete body of research
with which we can all work.
"Working with OSHA and our other partners, NIOSH will
continue its commitment to bringing sound science to this process,"
said NIOSH Acting Director Kathleen M. Rest, Ph.D., M.P.A. NIOSH
is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Committee will consist of 15 members, who will be selected
for their expertise and/or experience with ergonomic issues.
OSHA will accept nominations from interested parties for membership
on the committee. The Committee will report to the Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. The details
of the nomination procedure are contained in a notice scheduled
to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, May 2, 2002.
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This news release text is on the Internet World Wide Web at http://www.osha.gov.
Information on this release will be made available to sensory
impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999.
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