Source: MEATINGPLACE, 10/28/15

Congressional Democrats are pushing for broader implementation of a regional pilot program aimed at reducing poultry worker injuries.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), issued a statement praising the U.S. Department of Labor for establishing the regional program but urged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to take it further by covering all poultry processing workers.

OSHA’s Regional Emphasis Program, announced this week, will be implemented at all worksites in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas and certain worksites in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and New Mexico.

According to TheHill.com, DeLauro and 14 other House Democrats sent a letter to OSHA urging creation of a National Emphasis Program to provide “heightened scrutiny” over serious health and safety hazards in the poultry industry.

The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and National Chicken Council on Tuesday also issued a paper outlining the industry’s approach to worker safety, noting the incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses has fallen by 80 percent in the last 20 years.

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