GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1588*

Short Title:  Funds/Ergonomics Res. Ctr.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Daniel and Plyler.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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May 25, 1994

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ERGONOMICS RESOURCE CENTER.
Whereas, Cumulative Trauma Disorders are the fastest growing occupational injury and illness classification in North Carolina; and
Whereas, Cumulative Trauma Disorders include physical ailments such as back strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis; and
Whereas, Cumulative Trauma Disorders can be permanently disabling to the extent that affected persons are unable to work or perform normal daily tasks such as holding a glass or brushing their teeth; and
Whereas, Cumulative Trauma Disorders have increased in excess of 2,000% in the past eight years in North Carolina; and
Whereas, Cumulative Trauma Disorders, not including cumulative trauma injuries to the back, have an average workers' compensation payout in excess of $11,500; and
Whereas, Cumulative Trauma Disorders can be extremely painful and can result in restricted bodily motions, inability to lift or grasp objects, or other debilitating conditions; and
Whereas, the United States Department of Labor estimates that Cumulative Trauma Disorders to soft human tissue will account for more than 50% of workers' compensation payouts by the end of this decade; and
Whereas, Cumulative Trauma Disorders can be prevented through the use of sound ergonomic principals to eliminate ergonomic stressors; and
Whereas, the failure to provide a workplace that is free from ergonomic stressors is a violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina; and
Whereas, it is the intent of the General Assembly to encourage and facilitate the use of sound ergonomic work practices in North Carolina; and
Whereas, there are numerous employers in North Carolina who wish to incorporate sound ergonomic work practices in their workplaces; and
Whereas, the widespread use of sound ergonomic work practices could save millions of dollars paid out annually in workers' compensation claims, disability payments, and welfare payments; and
Whereas, it is the intent of the General Assembly to provide a mechanism by which North Carolina employers can voluntarily implement sound ergonomic work practices with the confidence that such practices will satisfy the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina, and that North Carolina employers will not be cited for ergonomic violations during a reasonable implementation period so long as they are meeting stated benchmarks in addressing ergonomic hazards; and
Whereas, it is the intent of the General Assembly to provide technical assistance and support to North Carolina employers, to provide education, training, and assistance to North Carolina employers and employees, and promote research in an effort to reduce the incidence of Cumulative Trauma Disorder in North Carolina workplaces; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Labor the sum of nine hundred one thousand sixteen dollars ($901,016) for the 1994-95 fiscal year for the establishment of the North Carolina Ergonomics Resource Center.
Sec. 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 1994.