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Region 7 News Release:   KC-OSHA-06
Wednesday August 2, 2000
Contact: Norma J. Conrad
PHONE: (816) 426-5491

Members of Nebraska's meat processing industry along with safety and health organizations recently united in a cooperative program designed to help industry members reduce injuries and fatalities through partnership and outreach. Reductions in worker compensation costs and improved worker morale are the anticipated results of the program.

Companies throughout Nebraska including Conagra Beef Company, Excel Corporation, Greater Omaha Packing Company, Henningsen Foods, and IBP , have teamed with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Nebraska Workforce Development -- Voluntary On-Site Consultation Program and the LB 757 Workplace Safety Program; the Safety and Health Council of Greater Omaha; Nebraska Safety Council and United Food and Commercial Workers Union representatives in an effort to provide Nebraska workers with the safest and healthiest workplace possible. Many employers already have active safety and health programs and have volunteered to mentor smaller or less knowledgeable companies to help them develop, implement or improve effective safety and health programs.

The safety programs of employers volunteering to participate in the partnership will be enhanced greatly. Selected OSHA inspections of voluntary participants will focus upon developing protections from hazards typically associated with the industry, i.e., ergonomics, hearing conservation, personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout of hazardous energy, and confined space entry. Additionally, this collaborative outreach effort will provide early detection of potential problems which could significantly reduce the number of hazards found within the industry. Non-participants would receive a comprehensive safety and health inspection if selected for inspection.

Participation in this unique partnership opportunity also supports Governor Mike Johanns' Meat Processing Task Force recommendations and his Industry Workers Bill of Rights for Meatpacking Employees. The partnership goal is to positively impact safety in Nebraska's meat processing industry while involving diverse participation from the industry, labor, management and government.