January 11, 2010

Cargill emerges as a leading example for poultry industry

Cargill Turkey Production has received a safety honor award from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for its turkey hatchery.

The Cargill Turkey Production LLC's hatchery has received the 'Star' status as part of the OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).

The OSHA safety programs are designed to recognise and promote effective safety and health management. For this Voluntary Protection Program, management, labor and OSHA establish a cooperative relationship at a workplace to implement safety programs.

The Star program is designed for work-sites with excellent health and safety programs that go beyond the minimum regulatory requirements established by OSHA.

Connie Isenhart, the hatchery manager, said they started the quest to become a VPP Star site six years ago. Despite having three managers during this period of time, they are still able to achieve consistency in the hourly employees and their dedication to safety.

The hatchery is able to hatch more than 17 million poults annually and they are placed on farms in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The VPP process includes 19 requirements in which employers must show that they have programs in position to identify, evaluate, prevent and control occupational hazards effectively. The facility's injury incident rate should be below the industry average.