Standard protecting covered employees from occupational risk factors causing musculoskeletal disorders

(a) Proposed standard Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655), publish in the Federal Register a proposed standard for ergonomic program management for covered employers with respect to covered employees, including requirements for— (1) hazard identification and ergonomic job evaluations for covered employees, including requirements for covered employee and designated employee representative participation in such identification with the aim of maximizing such participation; (2) hazard control at covered facilities, which may rely on the principles of the hierarchy of controls and which may include measures such as equipment and workstation redesign, work pace reductions, or job rotation to less forceful or repetitive jobs; (3) training for covered employees regarding covered employer activities, occupational risk factors, and training on controls and recognition of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders; and (4) medical management for covered employees that includes— (A) encouraging early reporting of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms; (B) first aid delivered by those operating under State licensing requirements; and (C) systematic evaluation and early referral for medical attention. (b) Final standard Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment this Act, the Secretary shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655), publish in the Federal Register a final standard based on the proposed standard under subsection (a).