Senate Democrats Urge Labor Secretary to Speak Up on Ergonomics

Danielle Jackson

Washington, D.C. -- Senate Democrats Edward M. Kennedy, Mass.; Tom Harkin, Iowa; and Paul Wellstone, Minn., have co-written a letter to Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao, urging her to release a complete list of officials that have been involved in developing a new ergonomics plan for workplace injuries.

After Congress repealed Clinton-era ergonomics regulations more than a year ago, Chao promised that she would develop by last September a plan to reduce such injuries. But Chao has not yet made an announcement.

Consequently, the senators are seeking by April 11 a list of all meetings involving the Labor Department involving workplace injuries, legal opinions on the issue prepared by the government, and a list of agency training programs and outreach activities aimed at reducing injuries.