Minnesota Creates Task Force to Address MSDs

By R. Michael

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has established an Ergonomics Task-Force to recommend approaches DLI can take to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Minnesota.

The task force will review Minnesota's current approach to ergonomic issues, review ergonomic approaches used in other jurisdictions, listen to public testimony and submit its recommendations to the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

The 20 task-force members were selected for their expertise and experience with ergonomic issues and musculoskeletal disorders. They represent stakeholders from labor, business, government, trade associations, academia, the medical field and insurance companies.

The DLI would also like to get the public involved. DLI is seeking input from interested individuals to help develop a comprehensive approach to reduce work-related MSDs. Public testimony will be taken at five of the six Ergonomics Task-Force roundtable meetings.

Due to the heightened interest in this topic, DLI has established public testimony guidelines which can be found at the Ergonomics Task Force page, http://www.doli.state.mn.us/ergo.html.

In the year 2000, private industries in Minnesota suffered over 14,000 work related MSDs that required time away from work. Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and grocery stores were among the top 5 industries with injuries.