Leader for proposed standard to speak Feb. 15

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed Ergonomics Standard is a hot-button issue for both large and small business owners.

Springfield area business leaders will have an opportunity to learn more about the standard from one of its authors at a free seminar Feb. 15.

Gary B. Orr, PE, an industrial engineer and ergonomist at OSHA's office of ergonomic support and the Ergonomics Standard team leader, will be among the presenters for the program Workers' Compensation and Workplace Ergonomics The Business Leader's Perspective, to be held 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Feb. 15 at the University Plaza Hotel.

Sponsored by Ollis & Company Insurors, the program is designed to provide an informative overview of OSHA's proposed Ergonomics Standard.

There will be a forum for discussion of related issues, such as fraud and compliance.

In addition, information on current trends in ergonomics, and local consulting and educational resources will be provided, according to information from Katie McCroskey, CPCU, AAI, seminar coordinator for Ollis & Company.

The schedule of events begins with registration 8-8:30 a.m., followed by speaker presentations 8:30-10:30 a.m. and a panel discussion 10:30 a.m.-noon.

Discussion topics will include essential elements of an ergonomics program, hiring a consultant to help with compliance, addressing employees' off-the-job injuries and the cost of implementing the proposed standard.

Besides Orr, presenters will be Donald W. Jones, an attorney with Hulston, Jones, Gammon & Marsh who has experience in defending employers against ergonomics-based lawsuits; and Christina Horn and A.J. Gajdosik of Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company.

Jones, a member of the OSHA Committee of the Labor Law Section of the Missouri Bar Association, was also a plaintiff in a case in which the U. S. District Court ordered OSHA to give employers copies of employee complaints when seeking to conduct OSHA inspections.

This is now a permanent injunction in the Kansas City area OSHA jurisdiction.

Horn, a supervisor and trainer with Missouri Employers Mutual, and Gajdosik, a loss prevention consultant and trainer for MEM, have experience in presenting technical programs on correct ergonomic practices.

The seminar will also feature booths by local ergonomics/workers' compensation consulting firms, including Comp Care of the Ozarks, Case Strategies LLC, Work Safe, Brittney Inc., Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company and Dr. Gil's Immediate Care.

The program is open to all, but "the person who ought to be here is the one who's going to be writing the checks," McCroskey said.

The seminar is free of charge, but space is limited and reservations are required. For reservations or more information, call McCroskey at 881-8339, ext. 131.