The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) rules on machine guarding is facing a critical test after an employee was killed at a poultry processing facility in May of 2021.

Mar-Jac MS LLC, who owns the poultry processing facility in Hattiesburg, Miss. claims that OSHA standards are too broad and should allow for guards to be designed based on how workers operate machinery. OSHA had previously rejected the company’s petition to install a pull chord as a safety contingency.

The case began in the Fifth Circuit on Tuesday and is currently ongoing. 10/8/2024