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January 16, 2002

Register now for ergonomics workshops scheduled through March

The Department of Labor & Industries' ongoing schedule of ergonomics workshops for employers continues with 10 new sessions slated across the state. The workshop, "Implementing Ergonomics for Employers," explains an employer's responsibilities under the state's ergonomics rule (WAC 296-62-051).

The four-hour workshops scheduled for January, February and March are listed below. As more workshops are added, they will be listed on the ergonomics web site.

Date	Course#	City	Time
1/29/02	2850014	Tukwila L&I Office: 12806 Gateway Dr.	8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1/30/02	1850017	Mount Vernon L&I Office: 525 E. College Way, Suite H	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2/07/02	3850027	Bremerton L&I Office: 500 Pacific Ave., Suite 400	1 to 5 p.m.
2/13/02	1850018	Bellingham L&I Office: 1720 Ellis St., Suite 200	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
2/28/02	4850024	Tumwater L&I Office: 7273 Linderson Way SW, Room S117	8 a.m. to Noon
3/06/02	3850028	Tacoma L&I Office: 950 Broadway, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. 3	8 a.m. to Noon
3/13/02	5850016	Yakima L&I Office: 15 W Yakima Ave., Suite 100	8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
3/15/02	2850015	Tukwila L&I Office: 12806 Gateway Dr.	8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
3/19/02	6850015	Spokane L&I Office: N 901 Monroe St., Suite 100	8 a.m. to Noon
3/21/02	1850019	Everett L&I Office: 729 100th St. SE	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Workshop participants will learn how to identify caution zone jobs and how to analyze these jobs using the criteria in the ergonomics rule. Topics include:

• The physical risk factors that identify caution zone jobs.

•  How to identify and analyze hazards for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

• The requirements for ergonomics awareness education.

• The principles of ergonomics and how to use them to reduce hazards.

There is no cost to attend a workshop. To register by phone: call 1-800-574-2829 and listen to the recorded message. Provide the requested information, including course number, when prompted.

To register online: Visit the ergonomics workshops page and follow the online instructions.

Labor & Industries adopted the ergonomics rule in May 2000. Each year, more than 50,000 Washington workers suffer work-related musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries cost more than $411 million a year in medical treatment and lost wages, L&I's workers' compensation data show.

Approximately 600 employers in Washington - the largest companies in the highest-risk industries - will be the first covered by the ergonomics rule, starting July 1 of this year. For other employers, the requirements take effect between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2006, depending on company size.

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