British Poultry Workers Offered Flu Shots
Currently, the H5N1 (bird flu) virus cannot pass easily from human to human. But health officials in Great Britain believe if someone became infected with human flu and bird flu at the same time, the two viruses could mix in the body and create a new highly-contagious and deadly flu virus.
The UK Department of Health believes that offering poultry workers (human) flu shots would prevent this frightening situation from occurring. Almost 160 people, most of them living in Southeast Asia, have died after developing bird flu – generally from the handling of infected poultry.
No cases of bird flu have been reported in the United Kingdom to date. It’s expected about 60,000 poultry workers there will be eligible to receive vaccinations against human flu. It is not compulsory for them to do so. The vaccine will not protect people against the bird flu.
Read MoreDeath Brings 11 Serious Citations for Seafood Processor
REGION 1
An employee died from carbon monoxide poisoning while using a gasoline-powered power washer to clean the inside of a water tank in a fishing boat docked at Leonard’s Wharf in New Bedford, MA in November 2006. An OSHA investigation found that the victim and two other employees had been exposed to excessive levels of carbon monoxide while working in the tank and that the company had failed to implement controls to reduce those exposure levels. The company also lacked procedures and equipment for employees to work safely in confined spaces, did not train employees regarding working in confined spaces and did not identify and post danger signs for the tank and other confined spaces in the workplace, according to OSHA. There also was no program in place covering employees’ proper training and use of respirators. Proposed penalties total $46,900. [Carlos Seafood Inc., New Bedford, MA. Release Number 07-690-BOS/BOS 2007-127, May 14, 2007].
Read MoreInjuries at Grain Storage Facility Lead to Willful Citations for North Dakota Company
REGION 8
Employees entered a grain storage bin to break apart bridged (crusted) grain using tools such as iron rods and pick axes. Minutes later, the bridged grain collapsed, injuring three workers. OSHA cited the company for willful failure to prevent employees from entering storage structures where bridged grain products and associated hazards were present, along with willful failure to assign a standby observer and to provide rescue equipment. Serious citations issued by OSHA allege the company’s failure to train employees for bin entry and rescue, failure to complete and certify bin entry permits and failure to perform all required atmospheric testing prior to employees’ entry into grain storage structures. The company was also cited for the serious alleged violation of failing to perform lockout/tagout of equipment prior to allowing employees to enter grain storage structures. Proposed penalties total $144,000. [Hubbard Feeds Inc., Bismarck, ND. Release Number OSHA 07-791-DEN, May 30, 2007].
Read MoreFood Company Faces $339,500 in Proposed Penalties
REGION 7
OSHA began an inspection under its Site-Specific Targeting Program Jan. 9, 2007. The program targets the nation’s most hazardous workplaces based on high numbers of injuries and illnesses. The willful violation alleges failure to provide procedures for emergency shutdown and startup following an emergency shutdown of the process system. Alleged repeat violations include unsafe stacking of material, unguarded moving parts of machinery and equipment, unguarded revolving drum ends, exposed and energized electrical wiring, failure to provide a distinctive alarm for an ammonia release, failure to provide quick drench/eyewash stations in needed areas, unlabeled hazardous chemicals, and failure to provide effective hazard communication training. The numerous serious hazards include unsafe walking surfaces, a lack of exhaust duct grease filters and inspections, obstructed exit, inadequately illuminated exit routes, forklift hazards, process safety management issues and many others. [Tyson Foods, Noel, MO. Release Number 07-1023-KAN, July 12, 2007].
Read MoreGrain Grower Facing Willful Violations in Connection with Double Fatality
REGION 6
A farm supply cooperative has been cited for four alleged willful violations in federal health and safety laws after two employees died as a result of becoming engulfed in grain. The violations allege willful failure to train employees to manage hazards associated with special tasks they are assigned and failure to provide a lifeline or alternate means for employees walking or standing on or in stored grain. The other willful charges allege failure to isolate all equipment presenting a danger to employees walking or standing on or in stored grain and allowing an employee to be present in moving grain. Proposed penalties total $189,000. [Ray-Carroll County Grain Growers, Carrollton, MO. Release Number 07-1258-KAN, Aug. 15, 2007].
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