March 14, 2011 8:00 AM CDT

Ergonomics - Definition, Costs and Enforcement Webinar

Learn about common ergonomic hazards

By Tim O’Toole

The Mason Contractors Association of America will host the “Ergonomics - Definition, Costs and Enforcement” webinar on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at 9:00 AM CT.

Each year employers experience heavy financial losses associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs. Few if any employers have not had to deal with an employee back, shoulder or wrist injury resulting from soft tissue damage. OSHA’s response has been to target ergonomics, the design of the workplace/jobsite to fit the user. Although a regulatory approach has failed, OSHA continues to try to use existing authority provided by the General Duty clause in the OSH Act to force employers to address this hazard. In addition, recent changes to the recordkeeping regulations require employers to log MSDs separately putting ergonomics in the spotlight for compliance officers.

This webinar will look at common ergonomic hazards on a jobsite, their cost to employers and how both the hazards and potential MSDs can be prevented. It will also review OSHA’s use of the General Duty clause for enforcement as well as MSD recordkeeping as addressed in OSHA’s compliance directive.

Tickets for this webinar can be purchased at www.masoncontractors.org/live.

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About the Author

Tim O’Toole is the Director of Marketing, Education, and Information Technology for the MCAA. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Webster University and has worked in the masonry industry since 2003.