AFS urges agency to provide flexibility for manufacturers in ADA rulemaking

Modern Casting, Oct, 2008

AFS has submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Justice in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on significant revisions to the accessibility guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Metalcasting facilities have been required to be in compliance with the act since 1991.

The revised guidelines would mandate all metalcasting facilities to make readily achievable modifications to previously exempt employee work areas, including repositioning light switches, installing grab bars and widening circulation paths within work areas so they are wheelchair accessible. The industry comments included some estimates on what it would cost to make these changes, highlighting the fact that metalcasters operate under tight profit margins and may be forced to cut important employee benefits in order to be in compliance with the new regulations.

"AFS respects the need for accessibility guidelines for those with disabilities," said Jerry Call, AFS executive vice president. "However, these guidelines should be realistic in terms of cost to a metalcasting facility."

Once the Department of Justice reads through the public comments, it will issue a final rulemaking on the. new guidelines in the Federal Register.

For more information, contact Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office, at aoman@afsinc.org or 202/842-4864.