U.S. Congress repeals workplace injury rules

Republicans implement never-before-used legislative powers to break the back of new ergonomic rules.

Rules intended to protect millions of Americans from injuries on the job have been taken off the books in the U.S.

Former president Bill Clinton issued the rules just months ago to reduce work-related injuries such as repetitive motion injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and back sprains.

Congress implemented never-before-used legislative powers that allowed them to expedite the repeal with just 10 hours of debate.

The Republicans say the rules were bad for business and would have cost more than $100 billion to implement. They contend that Clinton rushed them through to reward organized labour for its help to the Democrats in the November election.

But Democrats and labour say the ergonomic rules would have helped prevent more than 500,000 injuries a year, because they focused on the most common workplace injuries. They say they’re worried that a statement from Bush, in support of the repeal, indicates a callousness toward workers.

To read the full story, login below.

Not a subscriber?

Start your subscription today!