Ergonomics

State of CA and Federal Regulations

State of CA: Title 8, Section 5110. The state of California has instituted a regulation that requires corporations with fewer than 10 employees to begin an ergonomic training program if two employees who perform identical work activities sustain similar repetitive stress injuries.

Federal Register: Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 29 CFR Part 1910, Ergonomics Program; Proposed Rule. An Ergonomic program standard to address the significant risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's) confronting employees in various jobs in general industry workplaces.

Workman Compensation costs: MSD's cost the nation up to $50 billion a year. Employers pay between and $15 - $18 billion in workers' compensation costs alone. That means $1 dollar out of every $3 spent on workers' compensation goes for MSD related claims. OSHA estimates that the proposed standard would prevent about 3 million work-related MSD's over the next 10 years, have annual benefits of approximately $9.1 billion, and impose annual compliance costs of approximately $900 per covered establishment and annual costs of $150 per problem job fixed.

Lost work time: Carpal tunnel syndrome, time away from work, 24 days.
Repetitive motion, a median of 15 days.