The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued its plan for a new voluntary approach to ergonomics in the workplace. The program for reducing job-related musculoskeletal disorders will be divided into four segments: guidelines, enforcement, outreach and assistance, and research.

Guidelines
Later this year, OSHA will issue guidelines for specific tasks and industries. The guidelines will be based on already established incidence rates and feasible solutions in some industries, and the agency will encourage other industries to develop their own guidelines.

Enforcement
Enforcement will focus on inspection and notification of any need for corrective action. Ten regional ergonomic coordinators will direct enforcement.

Outreach and Assistance
Also under the direction of the regional coordinators, outreach efforts will provide materials and programs to assist businesses in ergonomics training programs. Internet-based training will broaden the reach of the project, and special efforts will be included to reach workers who do not speak English. Work sites with exemplary or unusual ergonomics programs will be recognized.

Research
OSHA will encourage ergonomics study in areas needing additional research, targeting knowledge gaps singled out by the National Academy of Sciences and an advisory group to be commissioned by the OSHA.