Labor Dept. extends ergonomics comment deadline

WASHINGTON (Jan. 31)—The Labor Department has extended the comment period on its proposed ergonomics standard to March 2 from Feb. 1, and moved back the date of the first hearing on the proposal to March 13 from Feb. 22. "Because this standard is so important, we determined that it is in the best interest of workers, employers and all concerned to extend the comment period," Labor Secretary Alexis Herman said in a prepared statement. Industry groups such as the Rubber Manufacturers Association, which decried the short comment period when the proposal was issued Nov. 22, were pleased with the extension.