Budget deal would not block new OSHA ergonomics rule

The tentative budget deal reached between President Clinton and congressional leaders Monday night reportedly does not include language Republicans wanted to allow the next President to block implementation of the controversial OSHA rule on ergonomics.

The rule, which places more stringent responsibilities on federal and private-sector workplace managers to avoid injuries stemming from sorts of repetitive movement, has caught the attention of a broad arena of businesses - including high tech - in that the rule may affect their already established ergonomics standards.

But Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., who spearheaded efforts to block the measure in the Senate, may, as allowed by federal law, work to have Congress overturn the rule through a resolution of disapproval, an Enzi spokesman said.

"That would be something he would take a very close look at," the spokesman said.

A spokeswoman for Rep. Anne Northup, R-Ky., agreed, saying, "That is certainly something we could do to block this from going through."