Line speeds and repetitive movements have raised concerns about employee safety in poultry processing in addition to food safety at the same companies. That’s why a new report on these accidents at work provides good news.
For the first time since the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began recording injury and illness information in 1994, the rate of occupational injuries and illnesses among poultry slaughter and processing workers has fallen below that of general industrial production.
The rate of 2.6 injuries per 100 full-time workers in the poultry industry was below the figure of 4.7 for comparable agricultural sectors and below 3.6 for the entire food production sector, for all processing industries at 2.8 and for the entire general industry at 2.7. .
The full report is accessible here.
The 2023 poultry processing incidence rate of 2.6 represents an 89 percent decrease from 1994, the oldest data available on the BLS website, when the recorded rate was 22.7. This demonstrates the progress the industry is making in improving safety for its workers.
“The poultry industry has always prioritized worker safety and remains committed to preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace, with a particular focus on musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome. By embracing ergonomic practices and early medical intervention, and by adopting new technology and automation, the industry has made significant progress in worker safety. We have seen a significant decrease in injuries and illnesses. Nevertheless, the industry remains committed to exploring innovative approaches to further protect our workers,” the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council said in response to the report.
The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council consists of members of the US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the National Chicken Council (NCC) and the National Turkey Federation (NTF). Collectively, the three organizations represent companies that produce 95 percent of the country’s poultry products and directly employ more than 350,000 workers.
“Our employees are our most important asset and their safety is paramount,” USPOULTRY, NCC and NTF said in response to the report. “The poultry industry has consistently focused on preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace, and this latest data reflects the excellent safety performance we have achieved. The fact that the number of incidents is lower than in the general categories of industry, manufacturing and food production is a milestone we are proud of. We will continue to set new standards to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees.”
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