Opposing Initiative 841

Whereas the Washington State Public Health Association passed Resolution 99-03, Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMD), in 1999 in support of the development of a statewide ergonomic standard to address the alarmingly high rate of worker injuries in Washington state’s workforce, and

Whereas WRMDs account for 32% of worker compensation claims and 46% of claims costs, and

Whereas the Washington Department of Labor & Industries adopted comprehensive ergonomics regulations, WAC 296-62-05101 – 05176 in 2000, following an extensive public process in which WSPHA participated, and

Whereas Initiative 841 seeks to repeal these same regulations that seek to protect workers in virtually every segment of the workforce from injuries caused by repetitive motions that result in pain, loss of functional capacity, and in many cases, permanent disability; and,

Whereas Initiative 841 further directs L & I not to develop any new ergonomics regulations unless it becomes necessary for the state to meet a uniform federal standard, and

Whereas ergonomic measures are available to prevent WRMDs – solutions such as designing jobs, selecting tools and modifying work methods so they better fit workers’ capabilities and limits; and

Whereas WSPHA believes Washington ’s workers should not be deprived of protections derived from the best available science regarding prevention of WRMDs,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Public Health Association opposes Initiative 841 and urges its members and the citizens of Washington not to approve this initiative on the November 4^th ballot.

Signed by: John Wiesman, WSPHA President 2002-2003