Biddle Jeff, Roberts Karen
Department of Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan, MI 48824, USA.
Am J Ind Med. 2004 Apr;45(4):329-37. doi: 10.1002/ajim.10352.
In 1999, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed regulations designed to reduce work related inquiries by limiting worker exposure to "ergonomic risk factors." Congress subsequently overturned the regulations. We provide additional evidence on earnings losses attributable to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and thus on the need for an ergonomic standard.
Regression techniques are used to analyze data from a survey of injured workers that has been matched to employer-reported earnings data covering pre- and post-injury periods, and to workers' compensation claims records.
MSDs lead to large and persistent earnings losses. Cost estimates used by OSHA to justify the 1999 EPS are corroborated. Losses are greatest among workers who file workers compensation claims, but nonclaimants also have losses.
Earnings losses and lost productivity associated with work-related MSDs are substantial and an ergonomic standard could be cost effective.
1999年，美国职业安全与健康管理局（OSHA）提出了旨在通过限制工人接触“人体工程学风险因素”来减少与工作相关的问询的法规。国会随后推翻了这些法规。我们提供了关于肌肉骨骼疾病（MSD）导致的收入损失的更多证据，从而也提供了关于制定人体工程学标准必要性的更多证据。
采用回归技术分析来自受伤工人调查的数据，这些数据已与雇主报告的涵盖受伤前后时期的收入数据以及工人赔偿申索记录相匹配。
肌肉骨骼疾病导致巨大且持续的收入损失。OSHA用于证明1999年人体工程学标准合理的成本估计得到了证实。在提出工人赔偿申索的工人中损失最大，但未提出申索的工人也有损失。
与工作相关的肌肉骨骼疾病相关的收入损失和生产力损失巨大，人体工程学标准可能具有成本效益。
