Opponents ready to make stand against OSHA ergonomics rules in court.

Chamber retains Jones Day in anticipation of battle

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Cass Ballenger, R-N.C., did not need a lobbyist to convince him that OSHA's proposed ergonomics regulation would hurt small businesses.

"As a small manufacturer myself, I can understand the problems and costs small manufacturers will incur" said Mr. Ballenger, president of Plastics Packaging Inc., which employs 200 people in Hickory, N.C. He also chairs the House subcommittee on work force protection.

Business lobbyists already are preparing a legal challenge to OSHA's ergonomics regulation, which would require nearly 2 million employers to establish programs to protect their employees from injuries such as strained backs and …