제  목 : OHIO EGG PROCESSOR AGREES TO PAY $425,000 IN FINES;
  일  자 : 1998년 09월
  제공처 : Internet

    OHIO EGG PROCESSOR AGREES TO PAY $425,000 IN FINES; WILL
 IMPROVE SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS AT ITS TWO
                      FACILITIES
   ============================================================

  AgriGeneral Company, L.P., will pay a $425,000 penalty for safety and
  health violations at its Croton, Ohio, egg processing and distribution plant
  and take steps to improve safety and health conditions for both its Ohio
  facilities, under an agreement announced today by the Occupational Safety
  and Health Administration (OSHA).

  OSHA inspected the Croton facility, now operating as Buckeye Egg Farm,
  following a referral from the Ohio Department of Health. As a result of
  its investigation, OSHA cited the company on Aug. 18, 1997 for willful
  violations of the general duty clause and temporary labor camp standards
  and serious violations of the bloodborne pathogens, confined space, hazard
  communication and agricultural equipment standards.

  Proposed penalties initially totaled $1,072,000; the settlement announced
  today reduces that penalty to $425,000 and covers the company's Ohio
  facilities at both Croton and Mount Victory.

  "We are pleased that Buckeye Egg Farm has agreed to resolve this matter,"
  said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "As a result of this settlement,
  hundreds of employees will no longer face unhealthful and even life-
  threatening living and working conditions. Key to the settlement is the
  company's willingness to implement a viable safety and health program to
  provide ongoing protection for its workers."

  Buckeye Egg Farm employs 365 workers at its 7,000-acre Croton facility
  (near Columbus), which produces, processes and distributes about 4.5 million
  eggs daily from almost 10 million chickens. The Mount Victory facility,
  located west of Marion, Ohio, employs 100 workers overseeing egg production
  by nearly 2 million chickens. (The Mount Victory plant was not included in
  the original inspection).

  The agreement settles citations issued against the company that included:
  exposing temporary migrant workers to fire and electrical hazards and to
  unsafe and unsanitary conditions in housing; overexposing employees to
  ammonia and organic dust (including failure to have an effective respiratory
  program); hazards associated with machine guarding deficiencies and fall
  protection; and risks related to bloodborne exposures and confined space
  hazards. Buckeye Egg Farm has agreed to correct all conditions cited at the
  Croton facility and will implement applicable provisions of the agreement
  at its Mount Victory site.

  "Buckeye Egg Farm is choosing to take a positive step to improve safety and
  health conditions for its workers at both its egg processing facilities,"
  said Charles Jeffress, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "The settlement
  enables the company and OSHA to concentrate on improving safety and health
  issues and to avoid the cost and burden of possible prolonged litigation."

  Under the settlement agreement, Buckeye Egg Farm will:

     - Conduct semi-annual safety and health inspections at both facilities
       through December 2000 and prepare a report to OSHA.

     - Develop a plan by Feb. 1, 1999 to identify feasible engineering, work
       practice and administrative controls to reduce employee exposure to
       ammonia and respirable dust.

     - Provide affected employees with documented initial and refresher
       training in safety and health hazards associated with their specific
       jobs, including hazard recognition and avoidance; safety
       and health policies/procedures; lockout/tagout; personal protective
       equipment; hazard communication; machine guarding requirements;
       bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards; emergency evacuation;
       and injury/illness recordkeeping.

     - Communicate with employees concerning compliance actions under the
       settlement; involve  employees in safety and health problems, and
       respond to employee's concerns or suggestions related to safety and
       health.

     - While the company no longer provides housing for migrant agricultural
       workers, any future housing must conform to the requirements of the
       Occupational Safety and Health Act and Ohio state codes.
       Will construct a locker and shower facility to enhance personal
       hygiene, and will provide certain employees with coveralls and laundry
       service.

     - Locations will be established for the storage, maintenance, and
       distribution of personal protective equipment. Appropriate training
       and respirator fit testing will also be provided.

     - Will provide a safer source of potable water for drinking and washing
       at all locations, and will periodically test drinking water for
       potential contamination in accordance with Ohio state codes.