Cargill Turkey Production LLC's hatchery has received the 'Star' status as part of the OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).

The OSHA safety programmes are designed to recognise and promote effective safety and health management. In the Voluntary Protection Program, management, labour and OSHA establish a cooperative relationship at a workplace to implement safety programmes. The Star programme is designed for work-sites with exemplary health and safety programmes that go beyond the minimum regulatory requirements established by OSHA.

Cargill held a celebration ceremony on 6 January The Holiday Inn Harrisonburg, followed by a VPP flag-raising ceremony at the Cargill Turkey Hatchery in Harrisonburg.

Connie Isenhart, hatchery manager, commented: "We started the quest to become a VPP Star site six years ago. During that time, we have had three managers, but what has been consistent through this process has been the hourly employees and their dedication to safety."

The hatchery has 44 employees and the capacity to hatch more than 17 million poults per year. The poults are placed on farms in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Ms Isenhart added: "I find it impressive that even with changes in management, the employee engagement and dedication to safety never wavered. They truly are an amazing group of people."

The VPP process includes 19 requirements in which employers must demonstrate that they have programmes in place to identify, evaluate, prevent and control occupational hazards effectively. The facility's injury incident rate must also be below the industry average.