Fines Demonstrate That OSHA is Serious About Worker Safety.

Following an inspection of a Harbeson, Delaware poultry plant, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found nine worker-related safety violations and proposed a penalty of $38,000 for the company with nearly 1000 employees.

According to OSHA, the poultry processor, Allen Harim Foods LLC in Harbeson, DE, had been exposing poultry plant workers on the debone line to musculoskeletal injuries. Workers on the line were found to be cutting chicken fat, bone and cartilage for eight hours a day, a process commonly associated with hand and joint disorders and injuries.

The company was also found to lack proper medical treatment for employee injuries and to underreport worker injuries, according to OSHA. Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, said in a statement, “These types of injuries can be prevented by implementing appropriate engineering and administrative controls in the workplace. When they occur, they must be treated early with appropriate medical care to prevent the illness from progressing.”

In conjunction with the citations for failure to address worker injury hazards, the company was also cited for failing to ensure proper employee training on machinery and for not designating emergency exits.

If you’re a business owner in the food and agricultural industry, it’s imperative that you take workplace safety seriously and always adhere to the safety regulations set in place by OSHA. For your liability insurance, there’s no better source than Kapnick. Contact your experienced Kapnick Insurance Representative today.