OSHA Launches Nebraska Local Emphasis Program in Meat Processing Industry
The program calls on employers to reduce the most common musculoskeletal, repetitive motion injuries.
OSHA reports that Nebraska workers in the meat processing industry are more likely to be injured on the job than almost any other industry in the state. This has led the agency to launch a new local emphasis program that will concentrate education and enforcement efforts on common meat processing industry hazards, such as musculoskeletal and repetitive motion injuries, machine guarding, control of hazardous energy, and process safety management.
The agency cites Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate 7.5 percent of meat processing workers experienced recordable injuries or illness in 2014.
"The local emphasis program on the meat processing industry provides outreach and education to assist employers to eliminate hazardous working conditions," said Jeff Funke, OSHA area director in Omaha. "Workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths are always preventable when employers implement a safety and health program focused on hazard identification, corrective actions and employee training."
The emphasis program is scheduled to end Sept. 30, 2016, unless it is extended.