Ergonomics: Common Sense Finally

Words: Dan KesterAs Abraham Lincoln once said, "Public opinion in this country is everything." That certainly held true recently in Washington State where by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent voters there repealed the so-called ergonomics rules designed to protect workers from repetitive stress injuries. These rules, developed by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, would have limited the number of hours a worker could spend in any one job with "repetitive" motions or awkward and uncomfortable positions. These rules were patterned after the same rules put forward during the Clinton Administration - rules that were ultimately rescinded by an act of Congress in 2001. These rules would have imposed unbelievable burdens on industry, resulting in lost productivity and valuable jobs, costing more than $725 million in the first year of implementation alone.

Fortunately, thanks to the repeal efforts of the Building Industry Association of Washington, an initiative was put on the ballot to overturn these stringent regulations. These rules would have applied to just about every sector of the State's economy - from grocery checkers, to nursing home employees to - yes - bricklayers and voters were finally persuaded that they would be put at a competitive disadvantage when it came to doing business.

Everyone wants a safe and hazard free work environment. But they also understand one basic, conservative tenet - that regulations aren't without cost and government's reach is oftentimes overly excessive. Other States such as North Carolina are working on their own set of ergonomics regulations and the Bush Administration continues to push guidelines for industries with high rates of incidence related to musculoskeletal disorders. Let's hope the voters of Washington State sent them and others a very strong message that basis of good government is the opinion of its people.

What gives with head protection? Why workers want to keep their hard hats and ditch safety helmets.
April 2025

Last August, I took my pickup to the dealership for a nagging check engine light. While it was being looked over, I chatted with the salesman I normally deal with, and he told me about the latest and greatest 2025 models. He told me how the twin turbo inl

Government Affairs: Bringing North Carolina to Washington, D.C. and Hopefully Young People to Your Jobsites
April 2025

For you long time members of the Mason Contractors Association of America you likely remember our Annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In where MCAA members from around the country would come to Washington, D.C. meeting with Members of Congress from their home sta

Chairman's Message: While We Are Still Here
April 2025

I truly value my days working on construction sites during the summers of my high school and college days. Some moments in our youth are so clearly meaningful that we file them away in our subconscious to be recalled when life events require inspiration.

Contractor Tip of the Month: The Tough Calls That Define a Leader
April 2025

In construction, every project balances a delicate trio: coordination, precision, and timing. However, beyond blueprints and schedules, leadership demands something far greater—the ability to lead and make difficult decisions that shape the future of a co