MSD rules on hold

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has delayed for at least one year implementation of recordkeeping changes that included a definition of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and a check-off box in a log for employees who have experienced work-related MSDs.

The changes were to have been implemented on January 1, 2003, but were delayed because of controversy surrounding the definition of an MSD.

OSHA hopes to publish a definition this year and then put the new rules into effect on January 1,2004.