Report: OSHA can do more to protect warehouse, delivery workers from ergo hazards

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released October 8 highlights the major causes of severe workplace injuries among warehouse and delivery workers and makes recommendations to OSHA. The report, OSHA Should Take Steps to Better Identify and Address Ergonomic Hazards at Warehouses and Delivery Companies, notes musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as the number one cause of injuries, while contact with objects or equipment and slips, trips, and falls were the other major causes.

While OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for warehousing and distribution centers addresses ergonomic hazards and other risks, GAO recommends the agency take further action, including:

• Ensuring compliance officers can “easily obtain” data on when MSDs occurred;
• Increasing training for identifying and assessing ergonomic hazards;
• Making changes to guidance on identifying, assessing, and addressing ergonomic hazards;
• Following up with establishments given ergonomic hazard alert letters in a timely manner; and
• Evaluating how well OSHA's NEP helps compliance officers identify, assess, and address ergonomic hazards and to correct any deficiencies.

The full report can be found at gao.gov.