INDCOM/19-1.E97/v2
SECTORAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME
Working Paper
Safety and health of meat, poultry and fish processing workers
By Shizue Tomoda
Working papers are preliminary documents intended to
stimulate discussion and critical commentsInternational Labour Office Geneva
Contents:
Table 1.1.1 Per capita daily intake of protein of animal origin by region and country
Table 1.1.2 Beef and veal production in selected regions and countries
Table 1.1.3 Ten principal exporters of bovine meat
Table 1.1.4 Poultry meat production in the world and in selected regions and countries
Table 1.1.5 Export of fresh poultry meat by region
Table 1.1.6 Fish, crustaceans, mollusca, etc.: Nominal catches by principal producers and world total
Table 1.1.7 International trade in fishery commodities by principal importers and exporters
Table 1.1.8 World production and exports of preserved and processed fishery commodities
Table 1.2.1 Number of establishments and employees in the Australian meat and seafood-processing industries, by branch and gender
Table 1.2.2 Employment in the meat and fish processing industries in Belgium
Table 1.2.3 Employment in the meat and poultry and fish products industries in Canada
Table 1.2.4 Number of establishments and employees in the meat industry in France
Table 1.2.5 Number of establishments and full-time workers in the meat processing industries in Germany, by size of establishment
Table 1.2.6 Number of employees and proportions in the food, drink and tobacco industries in Hungary, by subsector
Table 1.2.7 Number of regular employees in the livestock products and seafood-processing industries in Japan, by size of establishment and gender
Table 1.2.8 Distribution of workers by industry and gender and the number of enterprises in the meat, poultry, fish and shellfish processing industries in Mexico
Table 1.2.9 Employment by gender in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries in Poland, as of 31 December
Table 1.2.10 Number of establishments and persons engaged in the meat and fish processing industries in the four Scandinavian countries
Table 1.2.11 Employment in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries in the United Kingdom
Table 1.2.12 Employment in meat-related industries in the United States
Table 2.1.1 Average weekly earnings and hours of work of full-time adult, non-managerial employees in the food industry in Australia, by trade and gender
Table 2.1.2 Hourly minimum wage fixed in collective agreements in Belgium as of 1 August 1994, by industry and category of workers
Table 2.1.3 Average weekly earnings and hours of work of salaried employees in firms of all sizes in Canada, by sector and subsector
Table 2.1.4 Number of workers, total work-hours and average hourly wage in the cooperative sector of the meat and poultry industries in France, by category of worker, 1991-94
Table 2.1.5 Average weekly gross earnings in the meat and fish processing industries in Germany, 1988-94
Table 2.1.6 Average weekly work-hours in the meat and fish processing industries in Germany, 1988-94
Table 2.1.7 Average monthly earnings in the livestock products and seafood processing industries in Japan, by size of establishment and gender
Table 2.1.8 Average monthly hours of work in the livestock products and seafood-processing industries in Japan, by size of establishment and gender (including overtime work)
Table 2.1.9 Average hourly earnings in the meat, fish and shellfish processing industries in Mexico
Table 2.1.10 Average gross weekly earnings and weekly work-hours of full-time manual workers in the slaughtering of animals and production of meat and by-products industry in the United Kingdom
Table 2.1.11 Average weekly work-hours and weekly earnings of production and non-supervisory workers in the United States, by industry
Table 4.1.1 Degree of frequency and severity of occupational accidents in all sectors, the food sector and the meat industry in Belgium, 1989-92
Table 4.1.2 Occupational accidents in the cooperative sector of the meat and poultry industries in France, 1992-94
Table 4.1.3 Occupational diseases in the cooperative sector of the meat and poultry industries in France, 1992-94
Table 4.1.4 Workplace and commuting accidents among meat processing workers in Germany, 1985-94
Table 4.1.5 Number of occupational accidents resulting in temporary and permanent incapacity and workdays lost due to accidents per 1,000 workers in the meat processing and meat retail sectors in Italy
Table 4.1.6 Degree of frequency of occupational accidents in Japan, by industry and size of establishment (1990)
Table 4.1.7 Frequency rates of occupational accidents and diseases, permanent incapacity, death and workdays lost due to temporary incapacity among meat and poultry and fish and shellfish processing workers in Mexico
Table 4.1.8 Occupational accidents in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries in Poland
Table 4.1.9 Number of occupational injuries by severity and incidence rate per 100,000 employees in the meat and fish processing industries in the United Kingdom
Table 4.1.10 Incidence rates per 100 full-time workers of occupational injuries and illnesses that resulted in lost workdays in the United States, by industry
Table 4.2.1 Ten most common injuries and diseases, the number and cost of the claims and of workdays lost among meat processing workers in Queensland, Australia, 1991-92 to 1994-95
Table 4.2.2 Eight most common injuries, the number and cost of the claims and of workdays lost in poultry abattoirs and among poultry processing workers in Queensland, Australia, 1991-92 to 1994-95
Table 4.2.3 Occupational accidents according to the nature of injury in the meat and fish industries in Belgium, 1994
Table 4.2.4 Occupational accidents according to body part injured in the meat and fish industries in Belgium, 1994
Table 4.2.5 Number and types of occupational disease in the meat and poultry industries in France
Table 4.2.6 Number of cases of frequently reported occupational diseases and accidents and of workdays lost per 100 employees in the meat processing industry in Germany, 1989-93
Table 4.2.7 Cases of occupational diseases reported in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries in Hungary, 1988-94
Table 4.2.8 Incidence rates per 10,000 full-time workers of occupational illnesses in the United States, by industry and category of illness
Table 4.3.1 Ten most frequently reported causes of occupational accidents in the meat and fish industries in Belgium, 1994
Table 4.3.2 Causes of occupational accidents resulting in lost workdays in the cooperative meat and poultry processing industries in France, 1994
Table 4.3.3 Reported major injuries per 100,000 workers in the United Kingdom, by sector and cause (1989-90 data)
Table 4.4.1 Consequences of workplace accidents in the meat and fish industries in Belgium, 1994
Table 4.4.2 Consequences of occupational accidents and diseases per 1,000 workers in the meat, poultry, fish and shellfish processing industries in Mexico
Table 4.4.3 Number of workdays lost, per 100 full-time workers, due to occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States, by industry
The study on Occupational Safety and Health in the Food and Drink Industries was completed in 1993 at the request of the Food and Drink Industries Committee.1 Its findings showed that accidents and diseases in these occurred more frequently than in many other industries in the manufacturing sector in a number of countries where data were available. The study also indicated that common injuries in these industries included cut and stab wounds, lacerations, sprains and strains, bruises and fractures often caused by sharp hand tools, such as knives. Common diseases were hearing impairment, musculoskeletal disorders and respiratory disorders, skin diseases and infections transmitted by animals. These findings have drawn our attention particularly to the meat processing sector, which is closely associated with many of these findings.
Despite the limited data available for many countries, the study generated a considerable interest among ILO's tripartite constituents in occupational safety and health in the food and drink industries, and in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries in particular. This resulted in the Governing Body's decision at its 262nd Session (March 1995) to include the safety and health of meat, poultry and fish processing workers as one of the 16 sectoral meetings to be held during the 1996-97 biennium. Because of the ILO's subsequent financial constraints, however, a number of meetings, including discussion of this topic, had to be cancelled. Since information for the preparation of a report for this meeting had already been collected, the ILO decided to proceed with the compilation of the data as a study to be distributed among the tripartite constituents.
This study begins by reviewing recent trends in economic activities and employment, as well as working conditions in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries. The workers in these industries are a focus in this study because they share some similar features. For example, they process animals, regardless of their size, largely with sharp and sometimes heavy hand tools. They also work in wet and cold areas that ensure that their products meet food hygiene standards. These factors tend to contribute to creating a work environment where certain safety and health problems are prone to emerge. Finally, this study discusses specific preventive measures that have reduced accidents and diseases in some workplaces. These measures are presented as examples of best practices, which others may adopt to make their work environments safer and healthier.
The main objective of this study is to explore and expose the safety and health issues of workers in these sectors and their implications for these industries. This should help employers, workers and the tripartite constituents to become more aware of these issues, which in turn should lead to their cooperative efforts in reducing the number of occupational accidents and diseases and improving productivity.
Information specific to the meat, poultry and fish processing industries was not readily available in many countries. The data presented here were obtained from government agencies and from employers' and workers' organizations in a number of member States through ILO's field offices. Some data were also taken from statistical publications in the ILO library. A set of data from one country sometimes covers more or less than the three specific industries. The statistics presented are therefore not always internationally comparable. However, they still serve this study's main objective.
Table 1.1.1 presents the per capita daily intake of protein of animal origin by region and country, which sharply rises in Asia whose economy grew rapidly in the 1980s. From 1970 to 1992, protein intake more than quadrupled in the Republic of Korea, nearly tripled in China, almost doubled in India, and grew by more than 50 per cent in Japan. In regions or countries where the protein intake was already quite high around 1970-80, it stagnated or even declined a little. It also declined in countries where the economy weakened or underwent drastic restructuring in the 1980s.
Though there have been fluctuations or even declines in some countries, the total world production, consumption and trade of meat, poultry and fish products have mostly risen steadily to meet a growing demand.
Declining production in some of the major producing countries has been offset by other countries, such as China, whose production tripled. Total world production rose steadily, reaching its maximum in 1992.
The total world production of pork rose from 63 to 75 million metric tons between 1987 and 1993, a 19 per cent increase. It increased in all regions, except eastern Europe. Although it stagnated in the European Union at the end of 1980s, it was 8 per cent higher in 1993 than in 1987. Once again, the largest gain was recorded in Asia and the Pacific, with a 50 per cent rise over the same period.
Table 1.1.1. Per capita daily intake of protein of animal origin by region and country (in grams)
| Region/country | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 1992 | ||||
| Region | ||||||||
| World | 21. 2 | 22. 9 | 24. 9 | 24. 6 | ||||
| Africa | 11. 9 | 13. 0 | 12. 4 | 11. 9 | ||||
| North and Central
America |
53. 1 | 54. 6 | 55. 2 | 56. 2 | ||||
| South America | 27. 4 | 30. 0 | 30. 1 | 31. 3 | ||||
| Asia | 9.0 | 10. 8 | 14. 8 | 15. 7 | ||||
| Europe | 49. 0 | 57. 2 | 59. 4 | 58. 1 | ||||
| Oceania | 56. 0 | 59. 1 | 61. 5 | 59. 6 | ||||
| Country | ||||||||
| Egypt | 9.2 | 11. 5 | 13. 2 | 12. 9 | ||||
| Kenya | 14. 6 | 14. 8 | 18. 6 | 16. 2 | ||||
| Cuba | 35. 1 | 35. 2 | 33. 8 | 27. 9 | ||||
| Mexico | 19. 5 | 31. 6 | 29. 1 | 31. 3 | ||||
| United States | 66. 7 | 67. 8 | 71. 7 | 73. 5 | ||||
| Argentina | 67. 5 | 72. 3 | 60. 8 | 67. 1 | ||||
| Brazil | 20. 1 | 23. 4 | 26. 8 | 27. 1 | ||||
| China | 5.7 | 7.5 | 14. 0 | 15. 9 | ||||
| India | 5.8 | 6.6 | 9.0 | 9.5 | ||||
| Japan | 36. 3 | 45. 0 | 54. 8 | 55. 7 | ||||
| Korea, Republic of | 7.5 | 17. 8 | 30. 6 | 32. 7 | ||||
| Czechoslovakia (former) | 50. 9 | 58. 4 | 59. 7 | 47. 8 | ||||
| France | 65. 0 | 74. 7 | 77. 3 | 77. 8 | ||||
| Germany | 55. 8 | 62. 2 | 65. 9 | 64. 2 | ||||
| Poland | 51. 3 | 61. 7 | 53. 9 | 52. 3 | ||||
| Portugal | 33. 6 | 35. 9 | 52. 1 | 54.5 | ||||
| United Kingdom | 55. 0 | 51. 5 | 53. 4 | 52. 3 | ||||
| Australia | 64. 7 | 67. 3 | 70. 2 | 68. 5 | ||||
| Fiji | 20. 8 | 32. 2 | 34. 0 | 38. 1 | ||||
| New Zealand | 67. 0 | 76. 2 | 83. 5 | 78. 2 | ||||
| Source: FAO: Production Yearbook 1994, Vol. 48, Rome, 1995. | ||||||||
Pork production at the country level shows that the largest increase in volume was again in China, where it increased from 19.3 to nearly 30 million metric tons, a 54 per cent rise between 1987 and 1993. The Republic of Korea doubled its production. Among industrialized countries, the United States and France increased their production by 18 and 24 per cent respectively.3
Table 1.1.2. Beef and veal production in selected regions and countries
(in 1,000 metric tons)
| Region/country | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | ||||||||
| Region | |||||||||||||||
| World | 4972 7 | 49899 | 50296 | 51672 | 52101 | 52480 | 52220 | ||||||||
| Developed countries | 3468 5 | 34428 | 33983 | 34836 | 34814 | 34740 | 34108 | ||||||||
| Developing countries | 1504 2 | 15472 | 16313 | 16836 | 17287 | 17740 | 18112 | ||||||||
| Asia and the Pacific | 391 5 | 3887 | 4227 | 4564 | 4832 | 5226 | 5593 | ||||||||
| European Union (12) | 857 6 | 8075 | 7853 | 8464 | 8897 | 8602 | 7811 | ||||||||
| Eastern Europe | 194 3 | 1835 | 1829 | 2053 | 1890 | 1637 | 1646 | ||||||||
| Latin America | 859 5 | 9005 | 9427 | 9557 | 9688 | 9739 | 9756 | ||||||||
| Near East and North
Africa |
134 1 | 1337 | 1481 | 1481 | 1515 | 1552 | 1522 | ||||||||
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 212 8 | 2163 | 2193 | 2249 | 2279 | 2300 | 2301 | ||||||||
| Country | |||||||||||||||
| Argentina | 270 0 | 2590 | 2626 | 2635 | 2700 | 2647 | 1 | 2716 | 1 | ||||||
| Australia | 152 1 | 1588 | 1491 | 1677 | 1760 | 1791 | 1826 | ||||||||
| Canada | 953 | 947 | 952 | 900 | 867 | 910 | 883 | ||||||||
| China | 650 | 766 | 923 | 1103 | 1363 | 1617 | 1889 | ||||||||
| Denmark | 235 | 217 | 205 | 202 | 213 | 217 | 203 | ||||||||
| Egypt | 127 | F | 152 | F | 176 | F | 180 | F | 168 | F | 161 | F | 152 | F | |
| France | 196 3 | 1828 | 1673 | 1912 | 2026 | 2079 | 1703 | ||||||||
| Germany | 209 9 | 1 | 1988 | 1953 | 2112 | 2181 | 1829 | 1681 | |||||||
| Japan | 565 | 570 | 548 | 549 | 575 | 592 | 593 | ||||||||
| Kenya | 219 | 238 | 228 | 250 | F | 245 | F | 230 | F | 210 | F | ||||
| Mexico | 127 3 | 1271 | 1162 | 1114 | 1189 | 1247 | 1300 | 1 | |||||||
| Nigeria | 267 | 236 | 218 | 204 | 205 | 210 | 219 | F | |||||||
| South Africa | 628 | 1 | 615 | F | 603 | 1 | 661 | 1 | 700 | 1 | 745 | 1 | 729 | 1 | |
| Switzerland | 172 | 154 | 157 | 164 | 173 | 165 | 155 | ||||||||
| United States | 1088 4 | 10879 | 10633 | 10465 | 10534 | 10612 | 10586 | ||||||||
| United Kingdom | 111 8 | 946 | 978 | 1002 | 1020 | 959 | 856 | ||||||||
| Former USSR | 828 1 | 8616 | 8800 | 8814 | 8261 | | | ||||||||
| 1 - Unofficial figure. F - FAO estimate.
Source: FAO: The state of food and agriculture, Rome, 1994. | |||||||||||||||
Notes:
1 Shizue Tomoda: Occupational Safety and Health in the Food and Drink Industries, Sectoral Activities Programme Working Paper No. 62 (Geneva, ILO, 1993).
2 The World Bank: World Development Report, 1994 (Washington, DC, 1994).
3 FAO: The state of food and agriculture (Rome, 1994).
