WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao told a Senate appropriations subcommittee last week that her department would not propose new ergonomics standards any time soon, and that she was not committed to a two-year rulemaking deadline sought by some lawmakers.Chao also said most of the $14.2 million requested for ergonomics rulemaking next year would probably be spent to study whether a new safety standard was even needed to protect workers.The labor secretary discussed the Bush administration’s position on ergonomics May 2, while presenting her department’s proposed $44 billion budget to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee.For the full story, see the May 7 print edition of Transport Topics. .
Chao also said most of the $14.2 million requested for ergonomics rulemaking next year would probably be spent to study whether a new safety standard was even needed to protect workers.The labor secretary discussed the Bush administration’s position on ergonomics May 2, while presenting her department’s proposed $44 billion budget to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee.For the full story, see the May 7 print edition of Transport Topics. .