For the past nine years, the MAHB has been part of a coalition of statewide and regional business associations fighting against the adoption of a Michigan-only ergonomics (ergo) rule, a rule that would have applied to construction as well. Last month we finally won that fight.

These proposed ergo rules where yet another example of the schizophrenic nature of Michigan’s economic development outreach under the previous administration. “Please, please, please we want you bring your business to our state. Oh, by the way, once you’re here we’re going to burden you with requirements other states don’t have.” California is the only state in the nation with a mandated statewide ergonomics standard. All other states including Michigan are covered by the federal voluntary ergonomics guidelines.

In 2006 then State Representative Rick Jones (R) saw Governor Granholm veto his bill, HB 5447, to prohibit the adoption of stand-alone ergo standards in Michigan. On Tuesday, March 24, 2011 Governor Snyder signed Senator Rick Jone’s Senate Bill 20 prohibiting the adoption of stand-alone ergo standards in Michigan into law.