Bill would address work-related musculoskeletal injuries

A bill was introduced in the Washington state House of Representatives on Jan. 10 that seeks to restore the state’s ability to address work-related musculoskeletal injuries in workers compensation.

A state initiative measure approved by the voters in 2003 repealed ergonomic regulations and barred the Department of Labor and Industries from regulating working practices to address musculoskeletal injuries. The legislature has found that the absence of regulatory authority in this area has contributed to increases in workplace injuries and costs, court documents state.

H.B. 1837 repeals the prohibition on regulating working practices related to musculoskeletal injuries, “thereby allowing targeted safety efforts to more effectively and efficiently prevent these needless workplace injuries,” the bill states.

The bill is scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards on Jan. 25.