Ballenger, NAM say ergonomics rule will hurt small business

WASHINGTON (March 22)—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration´s proposed ergonomics rule will cost small and medium-sized manufacturers $6.7 billion per year, or $2.5 billion more than OSHA predicts it will cost all industry, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Faced with such costs, small businesses would either have to close or lay off most of their employees, said NAM and Rep. Cass Ballenger, R-N.C., himself the owner of a small plastics facility. "I would move to automate my plant for a one-time fee and rid myself of future costs and liability," Ballenger said at a news conference.