Currently, there is no federal regulation that governs ergonomics. Effective January 1, 2024, Minnesota has ergonomics program requirements (at Minnesota Statutes 182.677) applicable to warehouse distribution centers with 100 or more employees, meatpacking and poultry processing sites with 100 or more employees, and healthcare facilities.
Effective July 1, 2023, any employer subject to Minnesota Statutes section 182.677 must not institute or maintain any program, policy, or practice that discourages employees from reporting injuries, hazards, or safety and health standard violations, including ergonomic-related hazards and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
Minnesota also has a requirement that is equivalent to OSHA’s General Duty Clause for providing a safe and healthy workplace, free from recognized hazards. The state uses these requirements for enforcement of ergonomic-related hazards that do not fall under the specific industries listed above.
Click the link(s) below to view the applicable requirements.
Ergonomics
Citations
Minnesota Statutes: 182.653 and 182.677
Federal: Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act
MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation: Workplace Safety Consultation provides ergonomics assistance to businesses to help them proactively address ergonomics issues in the workplace.
