H-1441              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1007

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Cole, Sayan, R. King, O'Brien, Valle, Wang, Lux, Niemi and Jacobsen

Read first time 2/18/87 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to retail grocery employees; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The department of labor and industries shall study the effects of the work environment on retail grocery employees. The study shall include an analysis of checkstand workstations, lighting, and physical and motion requirements for persons working at checkstands, including consideration of such factors as static fatigue, repetitive motions, stress on limbs and body parts, such as back strain, and such other factors as the department determines appropriate.  Specific areas of study shall include the cumulative effect of repetitive movements including lifting and twisting, a review of workstation surfaces and their suitability to particular tasks and employees of various heights, and the use of seats and footrests at checkstands.

          The study shall be conducted with a focus on the development of minimum standards for the workplace and training requirements for employees working in this environment to reduce on the job injuries, minimize or eliminate stress, and improve employee productivity. Potential standards shall include lifting standards, fatigue reduction standards, task rotation standards, workstation design and modification standards, and equipment or tool standards.

          The department shall report to the governor and the commerce and labor committees of the senate and the house of representatives on the results of the study including any recommendations for the adoption of standards by January 1, 1988. The report shall be made available to employers, employees, and employee representatives within the industry.