The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Jan. 25 announced that it is temporarily withdrawing its proposed rule to revise the Form 300 to include an additional reporting column for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).  

The proposed rule was under review by the Office of Management and Budget when OSHA issued the withdrawal in order for the agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy to hold meetings to obtain input from small businesses about the proposed rule. ABC members can participate via telephone or online. More details will be announced within the month. 
 
ABC in April opposed the proposed rule due to the vague and subjective definition of what would constitute an MSD, in addition to the hardships it would impose on businesses. ABC also spoke out against the proposed change in a Jan. 12 letter to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on the most egregious federal regulatory activity that is detrimental to ABC members.       

Despite the withdrawal of the proposed rule, OSHA will still be able to enforce ergonomics hazards under the general duty clause.