OSHA Poultry Processing Initiative

Survey

OSHA Survey

Conducted jointly with Wage and Hour Wage and Hour concerns

– Many minimum wage or overtime violations– Low-wage, increasingly immigrant workforce,

with high turnover rates– Changing industry with rapidly expanding

production and employment

Rationale for OSHA Poultry Processing Initiative

Discrepancy between BLS injury and illness data and OSHA citations

Opportunity to foster compliance through outreach and the survey process

Identify safety and health hazards in the industry

OSHA Survey Elements

Identified the survey universe Selected the survey sample Designed the survey instrument Held stakeholder meetings Trained the investigators Conducted the survey Analyzed the data

OSHA Survey - Hazards Evaluated

Slips and trips Struck by or against, caught between Falls Electricity Ergonomics Health hazards - skin, lungs, noise Emergency procedures Confined spaces Other

OSHA Survey - Procedure

Evaluation of recordkeeping Walkaround Employee interviews Evaluation of Safety and Health Program

OSHA Survey Findings - Types of Injuries and Illnesses

40% of total injuries are due to back injuries– Includes both acute (slips and trips) and

chronic 10% of worker illnesses were the result of

cumulative traumas (repetitive motion) Contusions and fractures are 15% of injuries Cuts and lacerations are 10% of injuries

OSHA Survey Findings - Workplace Hazards

Slippery floors from water and poultry fat/grease– Back injuries, strains, sprains

Narrow walkways and crowded workspace hinder movement– Strains, sprains, contusions, back injuries, struck by

or against

Manually moving objects– Strains, sprains, back injuries, struck by or against

OSHA Survey Findings - Workplace Hazards (cont’d)

Use of knives in crowded work areas– Lacerations and cuts

Cumulative trauma disorders from repetitive motions in the cutting operations– Tendonitis, carpal tunnel disorders

OSHA Survey Findings - Summary

Over 75% of worker injuries and illnesses were due to– Back and repetitive motion injuries and

illnesses– Cuts or lacerations– Struck by or against an object– Slips, trips, or falls

OSHA Survey Findings - Factors Contributing to Injuries/Illnesses

Safety and health personnel with collateral duties, little time devoted to health and safety

Inadequate hazard evaluation for PPE Workers required to pay for PPE, including

hearing protection Crowded working conditions Training and language barriers

OSHA Survey Findings - General Observations

Emergency action plans adequate but deficiencies in drills and training

PSM - industry appears to be just ”learning” about requirements

Lockout/tagout not fully implemented in many facilities

Lack of health-related hazard identification except for noise

Recordkeeping good if a nurse was present

OSHA Survey Findings - General Observations (cont’d)

Worst jobs are in chicken catching and live hanging

Industry contracting out hazardous jobs such as confined space, chicken catching, live hanging, maintenance, and sanitation

Industry aware of repetitive motion hazards but has done little to correct identified hazards