Conditions at Poultry Plants are “Violating the Laws of Human Decency”
Elaine Chao’s OSHA - the agency that’s supposed to look out for workers’ safety and health - looks worse and worse every week. The latest lapses involve problems at poultry plants to which Elaine is seemingly turning a blind eye.
The Charlotte Observer ran a phenomenal exposé on poultry workers in the Carolinas. The investigation focused on House of Raeford, one of the largest poultry producers in the area, and found:
Its eight plants have been cited for more serious safety violations than all but two other poultry companies in recent years — and more than some companies several times their size.
Our journalists found evidence that House of Raeford has failed to report serious injuries, including broken bones and carpal tunnel syndrome. They discovered that plant officials often dismissed workers’ requests for medical care that would cost the company money.
Elaine Chao’s Labor Department doesn’t see a problem, though. Elaine’s OSHA claims poultry plants are “safer than ever,” pointing to supposedly lower rates of reported injuries. The devil’s in the details, though.
…the Observer found that the official injury statistics aren’t accurate and that the industry is more dangerous than its reports to regulators suggest. Current and former OSHA officials say the agency has made it easier for companies to hide injuries, and has all but abandoned its mission to protect workers.
Mysteriously, in an industry where musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel and tendonitis are common, a House of Raeford plant’s logs have shown no such injuries. Asked for an explanation, a manager hid behind racial and ethnic prejudice:
“Hispanics are very good with their hands and working with a knife. We’ve gotten less complaints…It’s more like a natural movement for them.”
This is just the latest in a nasty history at House of Raeford:
Acting on a tip that workers were suffering injuries, regulators in 1999 began investigating. They spoke with 40 workers, many of whom complained of throbbing pain in their hands, arms and shoulders. More than a third had been diagnosed with repetitive motion problems. […]
Inspectors wanted to talk with more workers, but House of Raeford officials repeatedly blocked them — even when they arrived with a warrant. Company officials said the interviews would disrupt operations.
A career Labor Department official said House of Raeford’s practices are “violating the laws of human decency” and that “he believes his agency has failed to protect poultry workers.”
In case you’re wondering where Elaine is…
The U.S. Labor Department didn’t make Secretary Chao available to comment for this story.
Senate and House committees are planning hearings on worker safety in the poultry industry, according to the Observer. We’re looking forward to some accountability this spring.
