OSHA releases new guidance for processing plant inspections

Previous guidance only applied to poultry establishments.

Krissa Welshans, Livestock Editor

October 21, 2024

2 Min Read
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The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released expanded guidance for animal slaughtering and processing industry inspections, superseding previous guidance that applied only to poultry establishments.

According to OSHA, meat and poultry workers face many serious occupational hazards, including exposure to high noise levels, dangerous equipment, musculoskeletal disorders, and hazardous chemicals such as ammonia, used as a refrigerant, and peracetic acid, used to kill bacteria. Further, the agency said animal processing is highly mechanized, “so walkways are often adjacent to energized conveyors and other meat processing equipment.”

Processing meat also uses a large amount of water that splashes on walkways and stairs; the addition of scraps of fatty skin from carcasses creates very slippery surfaces, contributing to slips, trips, and falls, the agency explained.

“Overall, animal slaughtering and processing workers suffer serious injuries that require a day or more away from work or restricted activity to recuperate at a rate that is more than double that of private industry.”

OSHA’s goal for the updated Inspection Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Establishments is “to significantly reduce injuries and illnesses that result from occupational hazards through a combination of enforcement, compliance assistance and outreach.” Under the guidance, OSHA inspections in these establishments will focus on hazards associated with sanitation and cleanup operations, ergonomics, hazardous energy and machine guarding, among others.

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According to employer-reported data, meat and poultry workers suffer serious injuries at double the rate of other workers. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate occupational illness cases reported in the animal slaughtering and processing industry were six times higher than the average for all industries in 2022. At the same time, the rate of carpal tunnel syndrome in this industry was more than seven times the national average. These workers also face other serious hazards, such as exposure to high noise levels, dangerous equipment and machinery, slippery floors, hazardous chemicals and biological hazards associated with handling animals.

Many workers in the meat and poultry industry have limited English proficiency. Additionally, the Labor Department reported findings of an increased number of children working in the industry, often on maintenance and cleaning shifts.

“All workers, regardless of their socioeconomic background or immigration status, have the right to safe and healthy workplaces. This new guidance better protects all workers by ensuring inspections are done during second and third shifts and include contractors and temporary workers, and that training is provided in languages workers understand.”

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About the Author

Krissa Welshans

Livestock Editor

Krissa Welshans grew up on a crop farm and cow-calf operation in Marlette, Michigan. Welshans earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University and master’s degree in public policy from New England College. She and her husband Brock run a show cattle operation in Henrietta, Texas, where they reside with their son, Wynn.

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