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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8211
Cagle's, Inc., an Atlanta-based poultry processor, has agreed to make
significant improvements in safety at its Macon, Ga., facility and pay $608,000
in penalties in a settlement of Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) citations.
"Top management is making a commitment to hire additional personnel to
conduct safety training both at Macon and on a corporate-wide basis," said
Cynthia Metzler, acting Secretary of Labor. "The settlement agreement furthers
the efforts of both OSHA and Cagle's to provide safe workplaces and avoids the
burden of prolonged litigation."
Cagle's also will furnish OSHA with the results of monthly inspections
of the energy control procedures (lockout/tagout) necessary to avoid any future
injuries to employees at Macon.
The agreement was signed April 15 by Ray Finney, area director of
OSHA's Atlanta East area office, and Jerry Gattis, president and chief
operating office of Cagle's.
Cagle's was cited by OSHA on March 25 for numerous alleged willful and
serious safety violations at the Macon facility following a series of accidents
that caused three workers to suffer amputations. The total proposed penalties
amounted to $1.2 million Penalties were reduced because of the substantial
hazard abatement program the company agreed to implement.
Inspectors found that Cagle's failed to use required procedures to
ensure that hazardous machinery was turned off and remained inoperative, or
"locked out" during any repair, maintenance or servicing work.
In addition to paying a penalty of $608,000, Cagle's agreed to begin
the monthly inspection of lockout/tagout procedures no later than June 2, 1997;
to hire a full-time safety training coordinator at the Macon plant; to hire a
corporate safety training specialist and to contract with a safety consultant,
who will provide guidance on lockout/tagout training and procedures.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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