Cooperation of Company and Union Saves Millions!

Tyson has long been seen as an innovator in ergonomics and taking care of their employees. Twenty years ago they set out on a truly progressive ergonomics initiative. Below some highlights from ://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/179033.htm article on the web. This shows that ergonomics is about saving companies money. Much applause to this business for leading the way.

Tyson has been involved in numerous engineering projects designed to modify work stations and equipment in order to reduce physical stressors on the job. Examples include redesigned knife handles, height-adjustable work stations, use of lighter-weight saws/power tools, hydraulic/mechanical assists to lift or separate product, lower overhead chains and conveyors to eliminate reaching over shoulder height, product diverters on conveyor lines to bring product closer to workers, comfortable/level floor surfaces, improved illumination and job rotation. The company has also worked to reduce the vibration generated by certain tools and modified personal protective equipment to make it fit better and be more comfortable.

"Over the past 20 years, our company has devoted millions of dollars in ergonomically-designed equipment and process improvements, as well as training, which we believe have helped prevent workplace injuries and illnesses," said Jim Lochner, chief operating officer of Tyson Foods. "However, the real key to the success of this program has been the workers who serve as safety and ergonomics monitors. The input we've received from hourly production workers and the participation of our plant and corporate management teams, have been invaluable."

"What this program shows is that when workers have input on working conditions, when they are part of the decision-making process, you come up with a better, safer environment -- and that's good for everybody," said UFCW Meatpacking, Manufacturing, and Food Processing Division Director Mark Lauritsen. "It works because everyone is involved from Tyson management to UFCW leaders, ergo monitors and production workers."

"The union and Tyson have worked together to make this ergonomics program what it is today (and) I think we're way ahead of the industry with our program," said Marvin Harrington, President of UFCW Local 222, which represents workers at the Dakota City plant. "We're proud the program is part of our UFCW contract with Tyson. We train UFCW members on how to identify hazards and recommend fixes. Having both Tyson management and UFCW members engaged on detecting hazards makes for an efficient process."

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