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Statement of Need: OSHA estimates that the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the United States ranges from more than 700,000 lost workday injuries and illnesses (30% of all lost workdays reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)) to more than 2.7 million annually awarded workers' compensation claims. These disorders now account for one out of every three dollars spent on workers' compensation. It is estimated that employers spend $20 billion a year on direct costs for workers' compensation, and up to five times that much for indirect costs, such as those associated with hiring and training replacement workers. In addition to these monetary effects, these disorders often impose a substantial personal toll on workers who experience their effects, and as a result are no longer able to work or to perform simple personal tasks like buttoning their clothes or brushing their hair. ^PScientific evidence associates these disorders with stresses to various body parts caused by the way certain tasks are performed. The positioning of the body and the type of physical work that must be done to complete the tasks of a job may cause persistent pain and lead over time to deterioration of the affected joints, tissues, and muscles. The longer time the worker must maintain a fixed or awkward posture, exert force, repeat the same movements, experience vibration, or handle heavy items, the greater the chance that such a disorder will occur. These job-related stresses are referred to as "workplace risk factors," and the scientific literature demonstrates that exposure to these risk factors, particularly in combination with each other, significantly increases an employee's risk of developing a work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Jobs involving exposure to workplace risk factors appear in all types of industries and in all sizes of facilities. Musculoskeletal disorders occur in all parts of the body--the upper extremity, the lower extremity, and the back. ^PThe evidence OSHA has assembled and analyzed indicates that there are technologically and economically feasible measures available that can significantly reduce exposures to workplace risk factors and the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Many companies that have voluntarily implemented ergonomics programs have demonstrated that effective ergonomic interventions are available and implementation of them is beneficial to the employer and the employee. Many of these interventions are simple and inexpensive, but nevertheless have a significant effect on the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Substantial savings in workers' compensation costs, increased productivity, and decreased turnover are among the benefits found.

Alternatives: OSHA has considered many different regulatory alternatives since initiating the rulemaking process. These include variations in the scope of coverage, particularly with regard to industrial sectors; various phasing options related to the size of facility; and limitations to the types of disorders to be covered by the proposed rule. In particular, OSHA is examining scope options that would narrow or focus coverage to a similar percentage of the population at risk. The Agency is also looking at different ways to addres the issue, such as having a program-oriented approach rather than focusing on the process for identifying and controlling hazards.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Implementation costs associated with a regulatory approach would include those related to identifying and correcting problem jobs using engineering and administrative controls. Benefits expected include reduced pain and suffering, both from prevented disorders as well as reduced severity in those disorders that do occur, fewer workers' compensation claims and lower associated costs, and reduced lost work time. Secondary benefits may accrue from improved quality and productivity due to better designed work systems.

Risks: The data OSHA has obtained and analyzed indicate that employees are at a significant risk of developing or aggravating musculoskeletal disorders due to exposure to risk factors in the workplace. In addition, information OSHA has obtained from site visits, scientific literature, compliance experience, and other sources indicates that there are economically and technologically feasible means of addressing and reducing these risks to prevent the development or aggravation of such disorders, or to reduce their severity. These data and analyses will be presented in the preamble to any proposed standard published in the Federal Register.