The move comes in the wake of reports in the local newspaper, the Charlotte Observer over the impact of weak enforcement of regulations, a drop off in inspections and low fines.

The newspaper claimed that companies were staring to ignore hazards that could injure or even kill poultry workers.

The newspaper also reported that two S.C. factories owned by N.C.-based House of Raeford Farms have masked the extent of worker injuries.

Calling the Charlotte Observer's findings "disturbing," Adrienne Youmans, director of the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, said the agency depends on employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace.

"OSHA can't do it alone," she said.

Ms Youmans told the Observer that her department is gathering data on Hispanic worker safety in the poultry industry. She said her department will later ask the state's Hispanic Worker Safety Task Force to review that data and give feedback on how companies and state regulators can better protect poultry workers.