Meatpacking Workers Want Line Speed Regulated For Safety
03/08/2010 03:21PM
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The Omaha World-Herald reports a Nebraska group has approached the OSHA to ensure worker safety by regulating work flow at meatpacking plants.
In a public meeting by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Norman Pflanz of Nebraska Appleseed for Law in the Public Interest presented findings from a survey of 455 meatpacking workers. The survey showed higher injury rates than official statistics and showed injuries increased as line speeds increased without sufficient staff to handle the extra workload. The U.S. Department of Agriculture monitors line speed as a safeguard for food safety.
A source in the meatpacking industry said results from the report in regard to injuries is only slightly higher than for all private industries.
OSHA is considering solutions to problems presented in the report. OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels said the report was well-written and provocative. Because OSHA is now aware of the line speed issues Pflanz said Appleseed for Law is positive about the hearing.
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Source: www.Omaha.com