WHEREAS:

Back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the leading cause of occupational injury and illness; and

WHEREAS:

Many AFSCME members in a wide variety of occupations, especially those who work with computers or move patients in health care facilities, have developed these types of injuries; and

WHEREAS:

Providing workers with proper ergonomic working conditions can prevent musculoskeletal injuries by adapting equipment, work pace, tasks, and other job factors to fit the physical and other individual needs of the workers; and

WHEREAS:

Employers have not sufficiently recognized the scope or severity of the problem and/or have not taken adequate steps to correct ergonomic hazards; and

WHEREAS:

There are no federal or state OSHA standards that specify the protections that employers must provide to their employees in order to prevent ergonomic injuries.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That locals and councils will strive to secure proper ergonomic working conditions for AFSCME members through collective bargaining and health and safety or labor/management committees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will continue to support efforts to enact federal and state laws to require ergonomic protections in the workplace.

SUBMITTED BY:

Anthony M. Gingello, Executive Director and Delegate
Brian G. Woods, Executive Board Member At Large
AFSCME Council 66
New York