Bill to Allow Workplace Standards for Musculoskeletal Injuries Heads to Governor

Lawmakers in Washington state are sending the governor a bill that would overturn a 2003 ballot initiative prohibiting the Department of Labor and Industries from adopting ergonomics standards to try to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. The state House of Representatives on Friday voted 51-46 to pass Senate Bill 5217, by Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond. The Senate voted 47-2 to pass the bill March 8. More than 20 years ago, L&I adopted specific workplace ergonomics regulations. Then, in 2003, more than 53% of voters approved a ballot initiative repealing the ergonomics rules and prohibi...