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News Archives
March 2008
Fire, Explosions Destroy Ark.
Meat Plant
A fire set off a series of
explosions at a meat packing plant on Sunday, destroying the factory and
causing an ammonia gas leak that forced 180 people from their homes,
authorities said. There were no reported injuries. FULL STORY
Iowa levies fines against
Agriprocessors
State safety
officials issued 39 citations on Thursday against the world's largest kosher
meatpacking plant, Agriprocessors Inc. in Postville, for alleged violations
of state workplace safety and health standards. FULL STORY
Agriprocessors cited for alleged
health, safety problems
The state has issued Agriprocessors Inc. of Postville 39
citations with proposed penalties of $182,000 for allegedly violating state
workplace safety and health standards, the Iowa Division of Labor Services
announced Thursday.FULL STORY
State issues 39 citations
against Postville meatpacker
An Iowa Division of Labor safety inspection of the Postville plant on
Oct. 31 resulted in the issuance of 26 citations, including two repeat
violations related to lockout-tagout procedures, the agency said. A Feb. 11
health inspection identified 13 serious health violations.
FULL STORY
Smithfield: Pushing pork as
it seeks to polish its image
Known for its opportunistic takeovers, Smithfield struggles to
improve an image tarnished by accusations of labor abuse, unnecessary
cruelty to animals and environmental degradation. FULL STORY
OSHA Not Issuing
Combustible Dust Standard Anytime Soon
OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke Jr.
stated the agency would consider rulemaking on combustible dust a “strong
option,” but only if its investigation of the Imperial Sugar explosion
reveals that standards don't adequately mitigate the potential for the
hazards associated with combustible dust. FULL STORY
Popcorn ingredient causes lung
disease
A chemical used to give butter
flavor to popcorn can damage the lungs and airways of mice, U.S. government
experts reported on Thursday. FULL STORY
Pilgrim's Pride Plans
Closings
Pilgrim's Pride Corp., the nation's
largest poultry producer by volume, said it is paring its chicken business
and slashing more than a thousand U.S. jobs, as soaring grain prices pinch
margins. FULL STORY
Meat Packer Admits
Slaughter of Sick Cows
The president of a slaughterhouse
at the heart of the largest meat recall denied under oath on Wednesday, but
then grudgingly admitted, that his company had apparently introduced sick
cows into the hamburger supply. FULL STORY
OSHA in hot seat at House hearing
OSHA will be in the hot seat March 12 before the House Education and Labor Committee.
Several committee legislators are bidding to pass a
bill that would force the agency to issue a
combustible dust standard.... FULL STORY
Minnesota meat packers
start negotiating new contract
“We’re just asking to be treated right, for them to do the right
thing,” said Lucy Aguilar, a boning worker at Dakota Premium Foods,
referring to contract negotiations... FULL STORY
Neurological illness strikes Nebraska
pork plant worker
A former worker at a Hormel Foods pork
plant in Fremont, Neb., has the same neurological illness that hit
meatpackers in Minnesota and Indiana. FULL STORY
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