Bag it

Opposition to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed ergonomics rule continues to mount. The regulations aimed at “manual handling” jobs drew fire from Food Marketing Institute president Tim Hammonds when he testified at a public hearing held by OSHA.

He said the proposed regulation would “require the complete revamping of our nation’s grocery distribution system.” Rather than take the steps required to protect baggers, Hammonds said grocers likely would eliminate the position and force consumers to bag their own groceries.

Some type of weight limits on manual handling is likely if the ergonomics rule goes through. This could prompt the use or development of different sizes or types of packaging and containers to reduce the amount of weight or the amount of strain on the handlers

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