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Safety and health of meat, poultry and fish processing workers

By Shizue Tomoda

Part 12

Table 4.2.7 presents the types of occupational disease that were reported in the meat, poultry and fish processing sectors in Hungary for the period 1988-94. Zoonosis was the most common ailment, accounting for more than half the cases among men. If dermatitis due to purulence is also considered as a disease of animal origin, it accounted for around 90 per cent of the cases among men and for over 75 per cent among women for most of the years presented. The total number of diseases increased between 1988 and 1991, and then declined. It is not known what percentage of workers in these sectors was affected. Additional information provided by the Ministry of Labour indicates that the diseases in these sectors accounted for 5.7 per cent of occupational diseases reported for all industries in 1988. The proportion had risen to 11.4 per cent by 1991, after which it declined to 6.7 per cent in 1993. The latest figure shows that occupational diseases in these sectors in 1994 accounted for 10 per cent.

Statistical data on common types of accidents and diseases in Italy were not made available. However, Costa et al.⁵⁶ observed a significant excess risk of lung cancer among male workers in slaughtering and meat packing, brewing and animal food processing plants, as well as among bread bakers. Increased risks of digestive tract pathology (e.g. cirrhosis and chronic liver diseases) were also reported among male workers in farm produce conversion. However, these authors admitted that the role of alcohol consumption as a confounding factor should be considered for a more accurate evaluation of these findings.

According to the information provided by the Institute of Occupational Medicine of Poland, there were 39 cases of diseases reported in the meat and poultry industries and four cases in the fish processing industry in 1994. Of these, hearing impairments were most common (22 cases), followed by skin disease (seven), communicable diseases (seven, including five cases of brucellosis), musculoskeletal disorders (four), bronchial asthma (two) and nerve disorders (one).

The information provided by the Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit (EMSU) of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom shows that there was a total of 30 cases of occupational diseases reported in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries from 1986-87 to 1993-94. EMSU recognizes, however, that there was probably substantial under-reporting of cases. Of the known cases, asthma was most common (12 cases), followed by leptospirosis (eight), pathogen (eight), poisoning, as well as decompression (one each).

Findings in Occupational Health, published jointly by the Office of Population and Census Surveys and HSE, give additional information on health matters. For example, male mortality from lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, chronic myocarditis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and renal failure was significantly greater among butchers in the meat industry than in the population as a whole. Male deaths from injury by cutting and piercing instruments were also greater than the national average. It was also reported that male butchers were at a greater risk of chronic lymphatic leukaemia, while women in the same profession had a significantly higher registration of cancer of the oesophagus.

Among poultry and fish processing workers, on the other hand, mortality from lung cancer, cancer of the larynx, dementia and hernia was significantly higher among male workers, while mortality from cancer of the uterus, diabetes and alcohol-related diseases was higher among female workers than for the population as a whole. While many of these diseases may not be directly associated with jobs, it is important for safety and health specialists to take note of these findings when studying cause and effect of occupational accidents and diseases.

Incidence rates per 100,000 full-time workers of commonly reported occupational diseases in the meat sector in the United States for 1988-92 are presented in table 4.2.8. It also compares rates in the meat sector with those for fruits and vegetables processing and bakery sectors. The data show that the total incidence rate in the meat sector was several times greater than that of fruits and vegetables and more than ten times that of the bakery sector. This suggests that meat workers face a very high health risk. Rates increased in all the sectors during 1988-92, although the increase in the meat sector from 1990 to 1992 was relatively small.

Another observation that can be made from table 4.2.8 is that 82 per cent of the total illnesses in the meat industry was associated with repeated trauma. In fact, the incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders rose by 80 per cent from 1988 to 1992. Skin disease, the second most frequently reported occupational illness increased by 33 per cent. Except for poisoning, the frequency of other diseases also increased, though they were a small proportion of the total. Disorders associated with repeated trauma accounted for a majority of occupational illnesses, not only in the meat industry but also in others presented.

Data on safety and health in meat, poultry and fish processing industries revealed that workers in a number of countries share similarities with regard to the types of accident; e.g. cuts, strains/sprains, bruises, fractures, and concussions. The diseases frequently reported included musculo-skeletal, respiratory, auditory and circulatory disorders, as well as zoonosis. Since many employees worldwide face similar safety and health risks, concerted international efforts may be appropriate in tackling these problems, for example, by adopting codes of practice.

Table 4.2.7. Cases of occupational diseases reported in the meat, poultry and fish processing industries in Hungary, 1988-94

Disease		1988				1989				1990				1991				1992				1993				1994
		F		M		F		M		F		M		F		M		F		M		F		M		F		M
Poisoning by gas														2												1		8
Dermatitis due to: chemicals purulence fungi		1 8 1		1 12 1		1 10 2		1 18		3 11 4		4 18 1		4 7 1		2 10		1 5		17		1 2 1		5		8		1 2
Musculoskeletal disorders				1
Hearing impairment due to noise				5				2				2		1		3								2				2
Respiratory disorders								2						1								4				1
Zoonoses		7		39		15		38		9		44		15		67		2		24		4		24		4		26
Total		17		59		28		61		27		69		31		82		8		41		12		31		14		39
Note: F = female; M = male. Source: Ministry of Labour, Hungary.

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

Category of illness		Meat products 1						Preserved fruits and vegetables							Bakery products
		1988		1990		1992		1988		1990		1992		1988		1990		1992
Skin diseases/disorders		66.1		88.1		87.7		21.9		17.5		21.1		4.2		4.2		8.0
Dust diseases of the lungs		0.1		0.2		0.8		0.3		-2		-		0.6		0.4		2.4
Respiratory conditions due to toxic agents		9.2		12.8		9.4		10.0		-		6.9		1.5		1.7		1.9
Poisonings		2.7		1.4		2.1		-		-		1.1		-		0.2		0.2
Disorders due to physical agents		11.5		16.8		28.2		10.3		6.1		5.2		0.8		2.5		1.6
Disorders associated with repeated trauma		469.0		824.5		847.5		50.9		70.0		99.0		34.7		94.9		83.7
Others		11.7		16.3		18.1		7.6		4.2		10.3		1.8		4.1		7.9
Total		570.4		960.1		993.8		101.7		116.5		143.8		44.2		88.1		105.7
1 Including meat-packing plants, sausage and other prepared meats and poultry slaughtering and processing. 2 Data not available, do not meet publication guidelines or rates less than 1.0 per 100,000 full-time workers. Source: BLS, US Department of Labor: Occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States by industry, Series 1988-92, Washington, DC.

4.3 Common causes of accidents

Table 4.3.1 lists common causes of occupational accidents reported in the meat and fish industries in Belgium in 1994. The most frequent cause was contact with moving objects, which accounted for one-third of the accidents. The moving objects included processing and packaging machines, conveyor belts, motorized saws, as well as vehicles such as forklifts, wagons and carts. The second most frequent cause that accounted for one-fifth of all cases was hand tools, including knives. Falls on the same level, responsible for nearly 8 per cent of cases, was a typical cause of fracture and sprains, for example. Other causes included contact with stationary objects, being trapped in or between objects, falls from a high level, and so on. These causes are straightforward enough for safety specialists to take into consideration when proposing risk control measures.

The study⁵⁷ conducted in Belgium and referred to in section 4.2 also lists causes for many of the accidents, some of which were similar though described differently. For example, common causes of workplace accidents involved knives, mechanical saws, animals during unloading and moving, carcasses falling from the hooks on the transport conveyor belt, bone splinters, bloody, greasy and wet floors, and so on. The study pointed out that these causal elements were closely associated with insufficient knowledge and ability, lack of safety awareness, forgetfulness or absent-mindedness and laxity.

Table 4.3.1. Ten most frequently reported causes of occupational accidents in the meat and fish industries in Belgium, 1994

Cause	Frequency	Percentage
Contact with moving objects	745	33.6
Handling non-motorized objects	412	18.6
Contact with stationary objects	256	11.5
Falling on the same level	174	7.8
Falling from a high level	110	5.0
Trapped in/between objects	153	6.9
Dropping objects	104	4.7
Falling objects	56	2.5
Exposures to high/low temperatures	19	0.8
Inhalation/absorption of harmful substances	15	0.7
Others	175	7.9
Total	2 219	100.0
Source: FAO, Belgium.

Causes of accidents resulting in lost workdays in the cooperative meat and poultry sector in France in 1994 are given in table 4.3.2. As in Belgium, non-motorized hand tools, such as knives, were the main cause of accidents, accounting for nearly one-third of all cases. Some other causes were also similar to those given in table 4.3.1, though they were again described or categorized differently. It is interesting to see animals listed as the second main cause of accidents in France, though they were not mentioned in the previous table. According to additional information given by the Ministry of Agriculture, however, "animals" includes carcasses as well as live animals. It is not known if the main cause of accidents (contact with moving objects) also included contact with animals.

Table 4.3.2. Causes of occupational accidents resulting in lost workdays in the cooperative meat and poultry processing industries in France, 1994 (in '000 Fr)

Cause		No. of cases		Percentage		Cost		Percentage
Non-motorized hand tools		611		31.2		4 919		15.7
Motorized hand tools		53		2.7		2 030		6.5
Stationary machines		80		4.1		1 652		5.3
Mobile machines		10		0.5		100		0.3
Vehicles		64		3.3		1 747		5.6
Animals		386		19.7		5 762		18.4
Vegetables		5		0.3		27		0.1
Constructional elements		100		5.1		2 520		8.0
Floors		127		6.5		2 174		6.9
Unknown		108		5.5		1 230		3.9
Others		414		21.1		9 196		29.3
Total		1 958		100.0		31 355		100.0
Source: Data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, France.

Of the 1,958 accidents registered in France, 49 per cent occurred when employees were working with carcasses, while 26 per cent took place while they were handling goods, according to additional information. Building, tool and machine maintenance were also risky, accounting for 6 per cent of accidents. Accidents that occurred during "deplacements", including commuting, driving on duty and moving from one post to another, also accounted for 7.6 per cent of the cases.

The Ministry of Labour in Hungary reported that 25 per cent of the occupational accidents in the meat, poultry and fish processing sectors for 1988-94 were caused by falls. The next cause was sharp and piercing instruments, which accounted for 16 per cent of accidents. Forty per cent of the accidents were sustained during manual work, where 25 per cent resulted in injuries to the upper limbs. Crushing injuries also accounted for nearly one-fourth (23 per cent) of the total.

Table 4.3.3 presents the total number of major injuries⁵⁸ per 100,000 workers in the United Kingdom for 1989-90 by sector and cause. It shows that tripping and machinery were responsible for more than one-half of the accidents reported. Tripping was due to wet and greasy floors. Tripping and falling while holding a sharp tool could result in serious injuries.

Table 4.3.3. Reported major injuries per 100,000 workers in the United Kingdom, by sector and cause (1989-90 data)

Cause		Slaughtering		Meat processing		Poultry		Fish
Tripping		86.5		141.7		85.1		76.0
Machinery		115.4		84.2		46.1		55.0
Falls from a height		67.3		32.9		31.9		34.0
Handling		38.5		26.7		21.3		7.0
Struck by object		57.7		53.4		21.3		14.8
Struck by moving vehicle		-		16.4		3.5		6.9
Exposure to harmful substance		-		8.2		-		34.0
Source: Health and Safety Executive: A recipe for safety, 3/94, United Kingdom.

⁵⁶ Giuseppe Costa, Fabrizio Faggiano and Susanna Lagorio (eds): Occupational Mortality in Italy in the '80s, ReSo Project and S.I.PRE. Project, A surveillance and cooperative project jointly funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, Rome, 1995.

⁵⁷ Karen Peirens and Marc De Greef, op. cit.

⁵⁸ "Major injuries" include any fracture, other than to the fingers or toes; any amputation; dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine; loss of sight temporarily or permanently; penetrating injury to the eye; any injury resulting from an electric shock or electrical burn leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; any other injury leading to hypothermia or to unconsciousness, or requiring resuscitation, or requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours; and loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia or by exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent. Source: Industrial Relations Review and Report, No. 561, June 1994 (United Kingdom).

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