markdcatlin | Beth Piknick RN on ergonomic injuries OSHA Press Conference November 22 1999 @markdcatlin | Uploaded August 2017 | Updated October 2024, 10 hours ago.
Speaking at this 1999 OSHA press conference announcing the draft Ergonomic Standard was Beth Piknick a registered nurse who knew firsthand the importance of OSHA's proposed ergonomics program standard. While working as an ICU nurse, she suffered a career-ending back injury that was devastating, both personally and professionally. Throughout her career, Ms. Piknick helped patients move from their beds to chairs and back. Twisting, bending, pulling and pushing were all part of the job. She never had any back problems. But on February 17, 1992, while helping move a patient, Beth suffered a severe back injury. Physicians, surgeons, and physical therapists were not able to relieve the constant pain. Finally, two years after the injury Beth had spinal fusion surgery coupled with a major rehabilitation program. She was willing to endure whatever pain it took to return to the job she loved. Despite the surgery and the physical therapy, however, she cannot return to her job. Before her injury, Ms. Piknick was an active person who enjoyed bicycling, racquetball, waterskiing and yearly white water rafting trips with her family. Now, she cannot participate in any of those activities. This is clipped from the video of OSHA’s press conference announcing the Agency’s draft ergonomic standard on November 22, 1999, led by Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman and Charles Jeffress, assistant secretary for OSHA. The purpose of the proposed standard was to reduce the number and severity of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) experience by employees. Under the standard, employers would be responsible for taking measures to reduce work-related problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back strains. In 1990, then Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole declared ergonomics an issue that OSHA must address. In November 1999, after almost 10 years research, discussion, and compromise, OSHA published its proposed ergonomics standard and in March-May 2000 held weeks of public hearings in Washington, DC, and hearings in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois. Both supporters and opponents of the standard had an opportunity to voice their opinions and submit evidence to the docket. OSHA issued its ergonomics standard in November 2000. The rule was expected to protect 27 million workers at 1.9 million workplaces from repetitive motion injuries and illnesses. However, two months later, using the little known and never before used Congressional Review Act, a business friendly Congress voted to repeal the ergonomics standard. On March 20, 2001, President George W. Bush signed the legislation that did away with the ergonomics standard, leaving thousands of workers at risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Speaking at this 1999 OSHA press conference announcing the draft Ergonomic Standard was Beth Piknick a registered nurse who knew firsthand the importance of OSHA's proposed ergonomics program standard. While working as an ICU nurse, she suffered a career-ending back injury that was devastating, both personally and professionally. Throughout her career, Ms. Piknick helped patients move from their beds to chairs and back. Twisting, bending, pulling and pushing were all part of the job. She never had any back problems. But on February 17, 1992, while helping move a patient, Beth suffered a severe back injury. Physicians, surgeons, and physical therapists were not able to relieve the constant pain. Finally, two years after the injury Beth had spinal fusion surgery coupled with a major rehabilitation program. She was willing to endure whatever pain it took to return to the job she loved. Despite the surgery and the physical therapy, however, she cannot return to her job. Before her injury, Ms. Piknick was an active person who enjoyed bicycling, racquetball, waterskiing and yearly white water rafting trips with her family. Now, she cannot participate in any of those activities. This is clipped from the video of OSHA’s press conference announcing the Agency’s draft ergonomic standard on November 22, 1999, led by Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman and Charles Jeffress, assistant secretary for OSHA. The purpose of the proposed standard was to reduce the number and severity of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) experience by employees. Under the standard, employers would be responsible for taking measures to reduce work-related problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back strains. In 1990, then Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole declared ergonomics an issue that OSHA must address. In November 1999, after almost 10 years research, discussion, and compromise, OSHA published its proposed ergonomics standard and in March-May 2000 held weeks of public hearings in Washington, DC, and hearings in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois. Both supporters and opponents of the standard had an opportunity to voice their opinions and submit evidence to the docket. OSHA issued its ergonomics standard in November 2000. The rule was expected to protect 27 million workers at 1.9 million workplaces from repetitive motion injuries and illnesses. However, two months later, using the little known and never before used Congressional Review Act, a business friendly Congress voted to repeal the ergonomics standard. On March 20, 2001, President George W. Bush signed the legislation that did away with the ergonomics standard, leaving thousands of workers at risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
