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OSHA News Release: [09/02/2004]
Contact Name: Al Belsky
Phone Number: (202) 693-1999

Ergonomics Guidelines Announced for Poultry Processing Industry

OSHA’s industry-specific guidelines focus on practical solutions

WASHINGTON—Employers and workers in the poultry processing industry have a set of guidelines to draw on to help reduce ergonomic-related injuries, OSHA Administrator John Henshaw announced today. Guidelines for Poultry Processing offers practical recommendations for employers to reduce the number and severity of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) throughout the industry.

“Most poultry processing facilities have made substantial efforts to address work-related MSDs,” Henshaw said. “Those results demonstrate that methods are available to better protect workers from injury during poultry processing operations. The guidelines we’re announcing today will not hinder those efforts; on the contrary, they incorporate many of those successful solutions.

“These are voluntary guidelines intended to build upon progress made in the poultry processing industry,” Henshaw emphasized. “We will continue working with those who’ve helped us deliver this important product—individual firms in the industry, trade and professional associations, labor organizations, and the medical community—to reduce ergonomic-related injuries, which is always our principal goal.”

Poultry processing joins the nursing home and retail grocery store industries that now benefit from industry-specific ergonomics guidelines—one part of OSHA’s comprehensive strategy to reduce ergonomic-related injuries.

The role of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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