A Delaware poultry company faces a fine over allegations that efforts to manage injuries to the joints that come from deboning chickens.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the fine, following the inspection at Allen Harim Foods’ Harbeson plant,
OSHA cited the company for exposing employees on the debone line to musculoskeletal disorder hazards that affect joints. The agency determined that workers performed tasks without controls in place to prevent injuries
“Musculoskeletal injuries caused by these hazards in poultry plants are too common,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “These types of injuries can be prevented by implementing appropriate engineering and administrative controls in the workplace, and when they occur, they must be treated early with appropriate medical care to prevent the illness from progressing.”
In addition to the serious citation for the company’s failure to address the musculoskeletal disorder hazards, OSHA issued serious citations for failing to designate emergency exits properly and to ensure employees received training related to machinery that could unexpectedly start up during service and maintenance. OSHA cited Allen Harim Foods for a total of nine violations. Proposed penalties total $38,000.
“The combination of musculoskeletal disorder hazards, lack of proper medical treatment for musculoskeletal disorders and underreporting of injuries at this plant must be addressed by the company,” said Erin Patterson, director of OSHA’s Wilmington office. “Workers should not have to work in pain, especially when these injuries are preventable.”
Headquartered in Seaford, Allen Harim Foods has 1,600 employees, with 960 workers at the Harbeson plant. In addition to the Harbeson facility, the company operates a poultry-processing plant in Cordova, MD; breeding operations in Liberty, NC; and hatcheries and a feed mill in Dagsboro and Seaford. Click here for link to citation: .
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
