P/E of Ergonomics

P/E = Politics/ Economics

Ergonomics forms a key part of any Industrial Engineering course, and I incorporate it into my own courses. Whether to pressure managers to ensure ergonomic work conditions or to let the "free market" dictate ergonomics is a debated issue, one which has been decided in favor of the latter in Michigan.

Governor signs bill banning Mich. ergonomics rules - Yahoo! Finance: "LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a bill preventing state regulators from issuing mandatory workplace ergonomic rules.

The rules were aimed at limiting injuries caused by lifting, repetitive motion and awkward work positions. Although they were worked on by regulators while Democrat Jennifer Granholm was governor, they were never enacted.

The new Republican governor said before signing the bill Tuesday that the regulations would have placed on "undue burden" on businesses, many of which Snyder said already have good ergonomics practices.

Businesses had said meeting the mandatory regulations could have been costly. The new law ensures Michigan can't have stricter ergonomics rules than the federal government.

Opponents, including many Democrats, say the new law limits the state's ability to protect workers."