| Reprinted from The
RSI Network - Issue 43 - Feb 2000
Rick Goggins, Ergonomist
Policy and Technical Services
Washington State Department of
Labor and Industries
gogr235@lni.wa.gov
Ergonomics at the Department of Labor and Industries
In the State of Washington, one of the Department of Labor and Industries' (L&I)
responsibilities is workplace safety and health. Washington, like California, has a
state-plan version of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, known as
WISHA—the Washington Industry Safety and Health Act. The department has recently
focused on ergonomics and the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders
(WMSDs), which are the most common and costly injuries in Washington workplaces.
In the 1980s, L&I recognized the need to provide
information and technical assistance to employers to help them deal with these disorders.
Since that time, it has worked with employer and employee organizations on the following
ergonomics programs:
• workplace consultations
• research projects
• training workshops
• publications
• a training video lending library
• presentations at annual conferences
• an ergonomics Web site http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/ergo/
All of these services are offered free of charge to Washington
businesses and workers by a growing staff of professional ergonomists. L&I is also
working with all interested parties in the state to develop an Ergonomics Toolbox, a
compilation of practical information on workplace ergonomics that would include training
programs, industry-specific best practices, and information on medical management of
WMSDs.
Proposed State and Federal Ergonomics Standards
OSHA released its proposed federal ergonomics rule a week after Washington State issued
its proposed standard, which led to some confusion among Washington employers. Which rule
must they follow—the national rule, the state rule, or both? Because Congress granted
the states authority to set their own workplace safety and health rules as long as they
are "at least as effective as" the federal standards, Washington employers need
to be concerned only with L&I's proposal. The difference between the Washington and
the federal proposals is in when action must be taken. Washington State's proposal is
preventive and identifies "caution-zone jobs" which mandate training and work
modifications, whereas the federal proposal requires action only after a reportable injury
has occurred. A brief comparison of the two proposals is available at http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/ergo/rule_dev/osha-wisha-ergo.htm.
Public Involvement
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries welcomed comments on the proposal
from people who run a business or work in Washington State, or would otherwise be affected
by a new L&I regulation. [Ed. note: This newsletter was issued after the state’s
deadline for public comment, which had been extended to 2/24. Transcripts of the public
hearings can be seen at http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/ergo/rule_dev/heartest.htm.]
L&I also would like to hear from anyone who wants to help with the Ergonomics Toolbox
efforts, and those who can share success stories about ergonomics solutions in industry.
About the Author
Rick Goggins has a Master's degree in Human Factors/Ergonomics from the University of
Southern California. Before coming to L&I 4-1/2 years ago, he worked for Hughes Space
and Communications' safety and health department. He is also a licensed massage
practitioner in Washington State.
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