NEWSWATCH​
ERGONOMICS 
California Adopts New Rules to Prevent MSDs among Housekeepers
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted on Jan. 18 to adopt new rules intended to prevent musculoskeletal injuries among housekeepers in hotels and other lodging establishments such as resorts and bed and breakfasts. The rules are contained in a general industry safety order in a new section in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. To comply with this new section, employers will be required to establish, implement, and maintain written musculoskeletal injury prevention programs that address hazards specific to housekeeping. These programs must include procedures for identifying housekeeping hazards through work site evaluations and for investigating musculoskeletal injuries to housekeepers. Employers will also be required to provide training to housekeepers and their supervisors in a language easily understood by the employees. More information on the general industry safety order for hotel housekeeping musculoskeletal injury prevention is available from the
California Department of Industrial Relations
.