OSHA takes aim at pains caused by work.

Byline: Sherry Robinson TRIBUNE BUSINESS EDITOR

Employees will like it. Employers won't.

Proposed OSHA regulations on ergonomics, the science of fitting equipment to people, have alarmed small-business people and state workers compensation regulators.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently released a draft of its proposed Ergonomics Program Standard. Citing the high incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, the agency introduced draft rules intended to reduce such workplace maladies.

The reaction here has been sharp.

"This is the most radical and scariest health-care provision I've ever seen come out of Washington," said Bob Aurbach, attorney for the state Workers' Compensation Administration.

Said consultant Janet Kerley of Lead-Rite Inc., "I started to get a very sick feeling in …