Ergonomics: Common Sense Finally

Fortunately, thanks to the repeal efforts of the Building Industry Association of Washington, an initiative was put on the ballot to overturn these stringent regulations. These rules would have applied to just about every sector of the State's economy - from grocery checkers, to nursing home employees to - yes - bricklayers and voters were finally persuaded that they would be put at a competitive disadvantage when it came to doing business.

Everyone wants a safe and hazard free work environment. But they also understand one basic, conservative tenet - that regulations aren't without cost and government's reach is oftentimes overly excessive. Other States such as North Carolina are working on their own set of ergonomics regulations and the Bush Administration continues to push guidelines for industries with high rates of incidence related to musculoskeletal disorders. Let's hope the voters of Washington State sent them and others a very strong message that basis of good government is the opinion of its people.