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OSHA News Release
2003 - 06/03/2003 - Draft Ergonomics Guidelines For the Poultry Processing Industry Now Available for Comment |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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OSHA Trade Release Tues., June 3, 2003 Contact: Layne Lathram Phone: (202) 693-1999 Draft Ergonomics Guidelines For the Poultry Processing Industry Now Available for Comment Third Set of Draft Guidelines on OSHA's Website WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is inviting comment on the third set of industry-specific ergonomics guidelines -- Guidelines for Poultry Processing. The announcement of their availability is scheduled to appear in the June 4, 2003 Federal Register. The draft guidelines will be available on June 4 on OSHA's website at www.osha.gov/ergonomics (select "guidelines"). "These draft guidelines are similar to OSHA's 1990 Ergonomic Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants," said John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. "Many of our stakeholders told us that the meatpacking guidelines have been successfully implemented in many poultry processing facilities. We expect that these new guidelines, developed specifically for the poultry processing industry, will bring even more useful and practical information to employers in the industry, and enable them to more efficiently address the specific factors that increase the risk of injury in their facilities." The draft guidelines consist of an introduction and two main sections. The introduction provides an overview of injuries related to ergonomic factors in poultry processing and explains the role of ergonomics in reducing these injuries. The first section describes how to develop and implement a strategy for analyzing the workplace, implementing ergonomic solutions, training employees, addressing injury reports, and evaluating progress. The second section, the heart of the guidelines, describes examples of ergonomics solutions that may be used in the poultry processing industry, including recommendations on workstation design, tools, manual materials handling, and the selection of personal protective equipment. The draft guidelines conclude with a list of references and helpful resources. The guidelines are intended to provide practical solutions for reducing ergonomic-related injuries in the poultry processing industry. They are based on a review of existing practices and programs, as well as available scientific information, and reflect comments made by poultry processing industry stakeholders. They are advisory in nature and informational in content, and do not create any new duties. They will not be used for enforcement purposes. OSHA is also working on guidelines for the shipyard industry, and will make drafts available for comment, as well. Interested parties must submit written comments on the draft poultry processing ergonomics guidelines to the OSHA Docket Office by August 4, 2003. After the conclusion of the comment period, there will be a stakeholder meeting in the Washington, DC metropolitan area to discuss the draft guidelines. Individuals are required to submit their intent to participate in this one-day stakeholder meeting by August 4, 2003. Location and date will be announced at a later date. Copies of the guidelines can be downloaded from www.osha.gov and also are available by calling OSHA toll-free at (800) 321-OSHA (6742) or faxing a request to (202) 693-2498. The draft guidelines are now available on OSHA's website at www.osha.gov/ergonomics (select "guidelines"). OSHA is dedicated to assuring worker safety and health. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ### U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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