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Workplace Safety in Pork

Production

Jim Lummus

Learning and Performance Manager

National Pork Board


Ethical Principles for U.S. Pork Producers

Approved March 7, 2008, by Pork Act Delegates

Produce safe food

Protect and promote animal well-being

Ensure practices that protect public health

Safeguard natural resources in all of our practices

Provide a work environment that is safe and

consistent with our other ethical principles

Contribute to a better quality of life in our

communities


Ethical Principles for U.S. Pork Producers

Employee Care: We affirm our obligation to provide a work

environment that is safe and consistent with our other ethical

principles.

Pork Producers:

Provide a work environment that promotes the health and

safety of employees.

Educate employees on the Ethical Principles for U.S. Pork

Producers and prepare them to meet their obligations consistent

with these principles.

Provide a work environment where employees are treated

fairly and with respect.


Current Status Workplace Safety

2007 Data from the Bureau of Labor and

Statistics list accident and injury incidence

rates for Hog Production at 8.4. All Industries

is 4.2.

DART rate for Hog Production is 3.8 while

all Industries is 1.2.


Overview of Losses 12 - Months Ending 12/31/07 WC

# of Claims 802

Total Incurred $3,146,205

Estimated Payroll $112,122,800

Total Temporary Disability Cases 120

Disability Days 5,908

PPO Penetration 60.49%

Median Report Lag 2 Days

Insurance Company Loss Analysis

23.5 Employee years of Disability Days

Occupation

# of

Claims

% of Total

Claims

Incurred

Total

% of

Incurred

HERDSPERSON 548 68.33% $1,842,603 57.02%

ASST MGR OR MGR 88 10.97% $490,665 15.18%

FARROWING 23 2.87% $316,265 9.79%

FEED MILL DRIVER 20 2.49% $146,498 4.53%

BREEDING 7 0.87% $95,889 2.97%

LIVE HAUL DRIVER 6 0.75% $95,794 2.96%

FEED MILL 8 1.00% $87,573 2.71%

TRUCK WASH 21 2.62% $42,400 1.31%

MAINTENANCE 31 3.87% $33,101 1.02%

TRUCK DRIVER 12 1.50% $25,746 0.80%

CONSTRUCTION 1 0.12% $19,641 0.61%

GILT DEVELOPMENT 5 0.62% $14,384 0.45%

COURIER 2 0.25% $5,443 0.17%

POWER WASHER 4 0.50% $4,903 0.15%

NURSERY 6 0.75% $3,025 0.09%

SOW OP TECH 4 0.50% $2,173 0.07%

PART TIME 6 0.75% $1,596 0.05%

OFFICE 3 0.37% $1,490 0.05%

GROW/FINISHERS 5 0.62% $1,404 0.04%

GROUNDS CREW 1 0.12% $735 0.02%

VET 1 0.12% $0 0.00%

Grand Total 802 100.00% $3,231,327 100.00%

Agency Description

# of

Claims

% of Total

Claims

Incurred

Total

% of

Incurred

SOW 186 23.19% $766,898 23.73%

TREATING 107 13.34% $558,291 17.28%

FEED CART 16 2.00% $240,192 7.43%

MAINTENANCE 31 3.87% $220,661 6.83%

POWERWASHING 58 7.23% $160,823 4.98%

FLOORS 27 3.37% $141,212 4.37%

BOAR 41 5.11% $132,466 4.10%

MORTALITY 36 4.49% $127,474 3.94%

GILTS 30 3.74% $122,525 3.79%

OBJECT ON FLOOR 14 1.75% $107,501 3.33%

CRATE 59 7.36% $103,452 3.20%

APPAREL 2 0.25% $86,810 2.69%

HAND TOOL/NO POWER 13 1.62% $73,845 2.29%

OUTSIDE SURFACE 9 1.12% $71,177 2.20%

BIN 6 0.75% $69,244 2.14%

ICE/SNOW 17 2.12% $55,014 1.70%

VEHICLES 18 2.24% $41,107 1.27%

HERNIA 5 0.62% $37,685 1.17%

BENCH 3 0.37% $27,987 0.87%

CHEMICAL 21 2.62% $19,491 0.60%

RAMP 8 1.00% $18,069 0.56%

Top 10 Claims

Accident Description Occupation

Total

Incurred Agency

Bending down to euthanize a pig and his back just gave out. Asst. Mgr or Mgr $150,078 Treating

Feed cart got caught on feeder, when pulled cart off felt pain in

back. Farrowing $90,798 Feed Cart

Soreness from feeding Herdsperson $89,853 Feed Cart

Employee was moving sows and a sow turned around and

smashed his knee against the breeding crates. Breeding $83,203 Sow

Employee was cutting wire that got wrapped around a

lawnmower blade when the wire flew up and cut his eye. Live Haul Driver $82,615 Maintenance

Employee was picking up board that was being used to roll

dead cart over and tripped over it and broke her left

ankle. Asst. Mgr or Mgr $81,905

Object on

floor

Unsure of specific cause, hands numb while processing and

cramps in feet leading to numbing sensation when

pushing cart. Herdsperson $74,385 Treating

Employee was pulling off her coveralls when she reinjured her

left shoulder. Farrowing $71,865 Apparel

Cleaning up corn spill and motion of shoveling caused pain. Feed Mill $67,371

Tool/No

Power

Pain from repetitively sleeving sows. Herdsperson $65,723 Sow

Tenure % of Claims

< 1 year 35.0%

1-2 years 15.0%

2-4 years 20.0%

5-9 years 30.0%

10 + years 0.0%

Not Classified 0.0%


Occupational Safety and Health

Administration

Injuries and Accidents

OSHA AND THE PORK PRODUCTION INDUSTRY

Swine Industry changing

Independent family farmer to industrialization

Not on OSHA’s radar screen in early years

With industrialization comes increased

awareness by OSHA – employer size

OSHA AND THE PORK PRODUCTION INDUSTRY

Between October 2004 and May 2006 Federal OSHA conducted 18 inspections in this industry – hog and pig farming

51 violations of OSHA standards

7 worksites in compliance

In the 11 sites not in compliance total penalties = $197,575 – that’s approximately $20,000 per inspection on average


One farm’s experience

Missing covers on ceiling receptacles, light switches, and J boxes

Cords improperly spliced outside of box and using electrical tape to insulate

which does not bring cord back to manufacturers' specifications.

Electrical panels had missing covers exposing energized conductors and

bussbar areas.

Electrical panels with no access due to materials being stored in front of the

box.

Flexible cords used in lieu of permanent wiring: Charger for boar bot,

washing machines in mechanical rooms, air conditioner in break room, and

other areas.

Electrical panel not properly installed. The panel was holding rain water when

inspected and mostly rusted through, a case of improper installation.

Electrical panels and other electrical J boxes with knockouts missing.

Conduit lines which had been disconnected were not plugged or capped.

GFCI receptacles near wet or damp locations not working.

Breakers in panel boxes not marked.


One farm’s experience

Did not ensure that employees were protected from

fire and collapse hazards. The employees working in

the barns were not provided with adequate

emergency exits.

Only one exit was available for egress from the

barns. All other exits were padlocked from the

outside and secured from the inside with brackets

and 2x4s.

Total Penalties $87,000


When can OSHA come to your farm?

A farmer who employs one or more

persons has the legal responsibility to

assure safe and healthful working

conditions

Occupational Safety and Health

Administration is prevented from spending

any funds to issue or enforce any

regulations that apply to any person who

farms and employs 10 or fewer employees


OSHA

11 or more employees

OSHA requires records of work related

injuries and illness

OSHA standards are regulations you must

follow

– Few standards specific for pork production


OSHA Standards

OSHA standards are regulations you must

follow

Few standards specific for pork production


General Duty Clause

The general duty clause states that every

employer must furnish each employee a

place of employment free from all

recognized hazards causing or likely to

cause death or serious injury. The general

duty clause will be used only in situations

where no specific standard has been

adopted.


What does OSHA look for?

The things they are familiar with!


OSHA will look for

Office

– Records

» Accidents

» Training

– Information on hazards at the farm

In the barns

– Electrical

– Machine guarding

– Egress (marking)

– Hazards Communication (labeling)


Mock OSHA Walk Through


Injuries and Accidents in the barns

Majority involve animal handling.

Why?


Injuries and Accidents in the barns

Facilities design

Training

Structure and Processes

Motives

Information


Where do I start?

Conduct your own Safety Assessment

Identify Gaps

Make a plan to fill the Gaps


Resources from National Pork Board

Pork.org

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