Meatpacking

What are the hazards associated with the meatpacking industry?

The hazards associated with the meatpacking industry generally include ergonomic-related injuries, amputations, biological agents, use of hazardous chemicals, slip, trips and falls, equipment struck by hazards, and noise exposures. 

What can I do to protect myself?

Employees should always examine any walking or working surface for the presence of slippery conditions, non-intact surfaces, or unguarded openings or open sides before stepping onto it. Workers working from elevated platforms should be sure to wear and properly use any required fall arrest or position restraint systems. Any fall arrest or position restraint devices worn by employees must be examined for defects prior to using it.

Before using any chemical, information on the label and accompanying information (e.g., safety data sheets) should be consulted in order to identify any personal protective equipment necessary to prevent direct contact through inhalation, splash or spatter to eyes, nose or mouth, or skin contact.

Employees should try to take breaks to allow soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) to rest throughout the day. Changing the work area or process to improve posture, reduce force or limit repetition can reduce stress on the body.  Additionally, rotating to another task that involves use of a different motion or body part can help if done correctly.

Employees should ensure that they have been informed about any chemical processes in their work area(s) and know about procedures associated with changes to these processes.

Whether at work or away from work, when working with loud equipment (e.g., leaf blowers, chain saws) or hunting with firearms, be sure to wear the appropriate type of hearing protection.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

A hazard communication program, process safety management Program, electrical safety-related work practices, bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan and hearing conservation program are available for employers to use in their workplace. They should be customized to fit the conditions and equipment used in the workplace. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

Training and Outreach Services

The presentations on ergonomics, machinery and machine guarding, walking-working surfaces, hazard communication, electrical safety, powered industrial trucks, bloodborne pathogens and noise exposure can be used to assist with employee training. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

More related information can be found on the safety and health topic pages for walking and working surfaces, ergonomics, noise, machine guarding, medical services and first aid, hazard communication, electrical safety, heat stress, amputations, powered industrial trucks, medical services and first aid, bloodborne pathogens and process safety management.

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards for the meatpacking industry in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.22 - walking - working surfaces, general requirements
• 29 CFR 1910.23 - ladders
• 29 CFR 1910.25 - stairways
• 29 CFR 1910.26 - dockboards
• 29 CFR 1910.37 - maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes
• 29 CFR 1910.95 - occupational noise
• 29 CFR 1910.119 - process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
• 29 CFR 1910.132 - personal protective equipment, general requirements
• 29 CFR 1910.133 - eye and face protection
• 29 CFR 1910.136 - foot protection
• 29 CFR 1910.138 - hand protection
• 29 CFR 1910.141 - sanitation
• 29 CFR 1910.146 - permit-required confined spaces
• 29 CFR 1910.147 - the control of hazardous energy
• 29 CFR 1910.151 - medical services and first aid
• 29 CFR 1910.178 - powered industrial trucks
• 29 CFR 1910.212 - machine guarding, general requirements of all machines
• 29 CFR 1910.307 - hazardous (classified) locations
• 29 CFR 1910.332 - electrical, training
• 29 CFR 1910.333 - electrical, selection and use of work practices
• 29 CFR 1910.334 - electrical, use of equipment
• 29 CFR 1910.335 - electrical, safeguards for personnel protection
• 29 CFR 1910.1030 - bloodborne pathogens
• 29 CFR 1910.1200 - hazard communication

General Duty Clause

• NCGS 95-129(1) - General Duty Clause

Recordkeeping

• Refer to Recording and Reporting

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Compliance Documents

• Compliance Directive CPL 02-02-079 - Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) provides guidance for inspections related to hazard communication.
• CPL 02-02-045, Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals - Compliance Guidelines and Enforcement Procedures provides inspection guidance for PSM facilities.
• Compliance Directive CPL 03-00-21, Process Safety Management (PSM) Covered Facilities provides guidance for inspecting PSM facilities.
• Chapter 17 of the OSH Field Operations Manual discusses the enforcement procedures to be followed when conducting ergonomic inspections.
• Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 149 - Special Emphasis Program for Amputations establishes the OSH Division's enforcement policy for safety and health inspections where employees may be exposed to amputation hazards on machinery due to lack of guarding and/or failure to utilize energy control procedures.
• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-147, Control of Hazardous Energy, establishes enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the lockout/tagout standard to ensure uniform enforcement.

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 49 – OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes requirements for the meatpacking industry.

Technical Assistance

• Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.