AR-News: (US) Tyson cited by OSHA after employee death

[cathy goeggel]

     Poultry News
            Tyson cited for health and safety violations after employee
death

            by Ann Bagel on 4/20/04 for Meatingplace.com


            The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration has cited
Tyson Foods for alleged violations following the death of an employee at the
company's Texarkana, Ark., plant last October.

            OSHA inspected Tyson's River Valley Animal Foods facility
immediately after an employee died on Oct. 9, 2003, apparently from inhaling
hydrogen sulfide while performing maintenance on a hydrolyser, which
converts chicken feathers into animal feed.

            The alleged violations include:



              a.. Failing to protect employees from exposure to excessive
amounts of hydrogen sulfide


              b.. Failing to develop, maintain and implement a proper
written hazard communication program


              c.. Failing to properly identify hazardous chemicals


              d.. Failing to properly train employees in the detection and
hazards of exposure to hydrogen sulfide


              e.. Failing to identify and evaluate respiratory hazards in
the workplace


              f.. Failing to ensure proper breathing apparatus is worn
during emergency response activities


              g.. Failing to develop and implement a proper emergency
response plan


              h.. Failing to properly test employees required to wear a
respirator


              i.. Failing to ensure respirators were available


              j.. Failing to ensure that persons trained to render first aid
were available to render first aid
            OSHA has proposed penalties of $436,000 for the alleged
violations.

            In a news release, Tyson said, "While we have not had the
opportunity to carefully review the citations, based on our limited review,
we do anticipate that after a thorough evaluation, we will disagree with the
assertions made in many of the citations."

            The release also noted that the Springdale, Ark.-based company
spends approximately $90 million each year on safety and health processes
and personnel, in addition to partnering with OSHA to promote worker safety
at various plants.


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