Though the guidelines are supported by both union and industry, union representatives concede that the guidelines are not likely to change the way the industry functions. Jackie Nowell, safety and health director for the United Food and Commercial Workers union to told the BNA, "We didn't have a problem with the proposed guidelines, and we don't have a problem with them now. Is it going to change the industry? No."

According to the University of Maryland's Environmental Safety Division of Administrative Affairs, "Repetitive Motion Illness or Cumulative Trauma Disorders represent almost 1/2 of all occupational illnesses reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics." Though the estimates vary, the cost of such injuries could exceed $100 billion annually.

Despite these astounding numbers, OSHA continues to allow industry to regulate itself and has only offered voluntary best-practice guidelines. Moreover, as reported in the recent report, The Bush Regulatory Record: A Pattern of Failure, a rule promulgated by OSHA this year eliminates the requirement that MSDs be reported separately rather than be lumped in with the total number of workplace injuries, making it more difficult to track this prevalent and dangerous workplace hazard.