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May 5, 1999
Printing Industry Takes On OSHA
Representatives of over 100 printing companies from around the country
descended on Washington, DC. April 27th calling for OSHA to halt its pursuit
of an ergonomics standard. The printers voiced their concerns as part
of the annual Graphic Arts Legislative Conference, sponsored by Printing
Industries of America, Inc. (PIA).
OSHA recently published its proposed ergonomics standard that would require
all manufacturers, all companies with manual handling operations, and
all companies in which a work-related musculoskeletal disorder has been
reported to establish extensive on-going ergonomics programs. Each program
would require formalized systems for identifying, reporting, and correcting
ergonomics problems, as well as extensive training and medical management.
PIA, which represents over 14,000 printing companies, supports H.R. 987,
a bill that would halt OSHA's push for an ergonomics standard until completion
of a congressionally-commissioned study by the National Academy of Sciences
on the causes and solutions of ergonomic conditions.
Sponsored by Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), HR 987 has over 90 co-sponsors, including
Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC), the chairman of the House Subcommittee on
Workforce Protections. Ballenger has argued that OSHA's reliance on a
"general statement" concerning the likelihood of injuries due
to biomechanical stresses instead of "quantitative risk information
is "ridiculous." The position espoused by Blunt, Ballenger and
PIA has drawn support from members of the medical and scientific communities.
In recent hearings before Ballenger's subcommittee as well as in written
statements submitted to Congress and OSHA, doctors and scientists have
argued that OSHA's attempts to mitigate risks associated with musculoskeletal
injuries need to be based on hard science, not simply good intentions
or political agendas. According to Dr. J. Steven Moore, Co-director of
Texas A&M University's Ergonomic Center, "There is inadequate
information at this time to promulgate a specific standard."
OSHA has countered that two reports, one by the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and another by the National Academy
of Science (NAS), support its position that there is a connection between
"biomechanical stresses on the job and worker injury." PIA refutes
this argument, noting that neither report attempted to define exactly
what that relationship was. According to Lechner, OSHA has no answers
to questions concerning degrees of risk and to what extent such factors
as age, weight and non-work activity affect levels of risk. "Without
that information," argues Lechner, "OSHA should exercise sound
judgment and not pursue what is perhaps the most sweeping OSHA regulation
ever proposed."
The NAS study currently underway seeks to answer some of the questions surrounding ergonomics and what would be most effective at reducing potential risks associated with worker injuries. It is hoped that a bipartisan consensus can be achieved upon completion and publication of the NAS study. Until that time, battle lines are being drawn. "We are committed to making sure that the business community is not burdened by regulations based on insufficient science," says Lechner. "PIA will continue to fight any attempt to railroad through an such regulation."
Purup-Eskofot Reorganizes And Strengthens Its Activities In North And
South America
The Purup-Eskofot Group has initiated a focus and investment strategy
for its activities in North and South America. The expansion programm
includes the creation of a major new showroom in Atlanta, GA, which will
provide comprehensive demonstration facilities for customers in North
and South America.
Another initiative of the focus strategy is to simplify and improve the
efficiency of the activities in North and South America, and thus exploit
the advantages of large-scale operations. As a consequence of the re-organisation
the activities in Canada will, as of the second half-year of 1999, be
managed from the head office in Atlanta. Activities in South America will
also be managed from Atlanta in the future.
William Schulin-Zeuthen President and CEO of the Purup-Eskofot Group says: "At group level we have changed our strategy which means that, among other improvements, we will place a much greater emphasis on the activities in North and South America in the future. In order to carry through this strategy, we will amalgamate these activities during 1999, while investing considerably in for instance, a new demonstration centre. From a group perspective the focus strategy also permits that further capital is available for research and development. It is important to stress that we are not closing down our activities in Canada and that Purup-Eskofot will continue to be re presented by both a sales and a service force in this country. The re-adjustments are due to the fact'that we want to conduct our business in Canada and South America more efficiently."
