National manufacturers group sues to block OSHA record-keeping rule.(The National Association of Manufacturers)(Brief Article)

The National Association of Manufacturers has sued the Department of Labor to block a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration 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 to include injuries 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 …