Manufacturers sue to block OSHA record-keeping rule.(National Association of Manufacturers to sue Department of Labor over Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

The National Association of Manufacturers has sued the Department of Labor to block the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) new record-keeping regulation.

The association contends the rule, scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2002, expands the scope of injuries that employers must report that are aggravated -- but not necessarily caused -- by work.

The lawsuit maintains OSHA does not have the authority to regulate injuries that occur outside the workplace. Manufacturers want a federal court to order OSHA to rescind the regulation.

OSHA issued the regulation Jan. 18, just two days before President Clinton left office. Like many …