"This document was published prior to the publication of OSHA's final rule on Ergonomics Program (29 CFR 1910.900, November 14, 2000), and therefore does not necessarily address or reflect the provisions set forth in the final standard."

Trade News Release
Thursday, September 6, 1999
CONTACT: Bill Wright
PHONE: (202) 693-1999

The last of eleven regional conferences on ergonomics hosted by the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be held Sept. 8-9 in Silver Spring, Md.

The conference, called "Best Practices in Ergonomics," will be held at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, 10000 New Hampshire Ave., and will focus on various ergonomic issues including manual and materials handling; training and education; hazard analysis, prevention and control; office computers; and ergonomic program development.

"The Regional best practices conferences are highly successful ways to share practical information about what works in reducing and preventing musculoskeletal disorders," said OSHA Administrator Charles N. Jeffress. "There is clear and convincing evidence that good ergonomic practices work. They reduce injuries and improve productivity. And, they save money."

Jeffress, along with Peg Seminario, director, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, AFL-CIO, will deliver the keynote address.

Designed specifically for small to mid-size businesses, best practices conferences focus on ways to combat repetitive stress injuries, one of the fastest growing and most costly threats to worker health. Participants include workers, employers, unions, trade and professional associations and professionals in academia and government.

The final conference begins on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. with a welcoming reception at the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, followed by a full day's agenda beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 9. The conference is scheduled to wrap up at 4:30 p.m. A registration fee of $75 is required. To register, or for more information, call Karen Banks at the George Meany Center at (301) 431-5422.

This conference is co-sponsored by OSHA's National Office and its Region III headquarters (Philadelphia), as well as the National Resource Center for OSHA Training, a consortium based in Washington, D.C. and composed of The Center to Protect Workers' Rights, and West Virginia University.

The first regional conference on ergonomics was held Sept. 17, 1997 in Lockport, N.Y. Other conferences were held in Chicago, Detroit, San Diego, Manchester, N.H., San Antonio, Tex., Kansas City, Mo., Denver, Atlanta, and Seattle.

The text of this news release is on the Internet World Wide Web at http://www.osha.gov. Information on this news release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-693-1999.