TRADE NEWS RELEASE
April 30, 2002
Contact: Layne Lathram
Phone: (202) 693-1999

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 noticed published in the May 2, 2002 Federal Register.