A safety ‘first’ in US poultry processing

The incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses in poultry slaughtering and processing has dropped significantly. This achievement was reached through focusing on common issues stemming from repetitive strain. Photo: Canva

The US National Chicken Council has proudly reported an industry first related to the slaughtering and processing side of the poultry industry.

The incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses within this workforce has fallen below all the levels of the general industry, manufacturing and food manufacturing sectors for the first time since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began recording this data in 1994.

The poultry industry’s rate of 2.6 injuries per 100 fulltime workers was below the rates of 4.7 for similar agricultural industries and 3.6 for the entire food manufacturing sector, all of the manufacturing industries at 2.8, and all of general industry at 2.7.

In addition, the rate of 2.6 in chicken processing is an 89% decrease from 1994, when the recorded rate was 22.7.

Steady progress

This achievement was reached through focusing on common issues stemming from repetitive strain. “The poultry industry [has a] a particular focus on musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome,” states the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council. “By embracing ergonomic practices and early medical intervention, and by adopting new technology and automation, the industry has made significant strides.”