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OSHA Updates The President and CEO of the National Safety Council, Jerry Scannell, recently proposed a new agenda for the nation. In his letter to America he stated that, "This Safety Agenda for the Nation is designed to call the nation's attention to the seriousness of our injury problems..." The numbers of unintentional injuries in 1999 that he cited are staggering, resulting in: "95,500 deaths" 20.4 million people disabled for a day or more "In 1998 unintentional injuries resulted in: 28 million hospital emergency room visits, and more than 56 million visits to a physicians office." He defined the challenge, "how to stop the preventable injuries and deaths that are occurring on the most massive scale. We address the challenge with common- sense solutions and actions built on successful models of injury prevention. These include educational campaigns, research, voluntary actions by corporations, public and private partners and individuals - and when appropriate, legislation, regulation and enforcement." In this respect OSHA is, as you are probably aware, proposing a new ergonomics standard for reducing debilitating musculoskeletal injuries in the work place. The most expensive of these, in terms of medical treatment, and lost time and Workers Compensation costs, is a back injury. There will certainly be standards for maximum weight lifting allowed for single lifts, as well as lighter weight standards depending upon Frequency of lift. Beyond these limits, lifting aids will be needed. The wording and interpretation of these new standards is currently being challenged, primarily by the small business sector, it is just a matter of time before standards are in place. In the last few years the cost of a single back injury was estimated at $25,000. As 80% of all back injuries are recurring, the long-term effect is even more costly as a particular employee becomes limited in the work they arc capable of handling. More than ever it is important, in terms of dollars and sense, to address the lifting/moving applications you have in your work place. Safe, fast, and effortless lifting of most objects is available at a fraction of the cost of a single injury.
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