State Proposes Workplace-Safety Rules

Citing an injury rate of 50,000 people and a cost of $340 million each year, the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries has plans to make the workplace safer.

That’s why the agency is coming to Spokane Wednesday for two public hearings on its proposed ergonomics rules.

The rules should protect workers from work-related muscular and skeletal injuries such as back strains and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Many businesses already train their employees to avoid hazards such as repetitive strain injuries, improper lifting and awkward posture. But that’s all done voluntarily.

“Education and voluntary action have not done the job they need to,” said Gary Moore, director of Labor and Industries.

Under the new rules, employers would have to develop awareness programs, choose better tools and modify work practices to prevent injury.

Response to the proposed rules has been mixed.

“There’s not a lot of clarity that some of these changes will make a difference. And there is a real fear that this is another intrusion of government into business practice,” said Dan Kirschner of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce. “Also, there is concern of the potential expense with these regulations.”

The state estimates that implementing the rules would cost businesses an average of 10 cents a day per employee. “Compare that to the cost of doing nothing,” Moore said, then factor in the millions in disability payments and the costs of replacing injured employees. “I think the numbers stack up in favor of doing something.”

The public hearings on ergonomics rules start at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive.