OSHA updates inspection guidance for the meatpacking industry

Washington — OSHA has expanded and updated its inspection guidance for animal processing and slaughtering.

The agency outlines the changes in an Oct. 15 memo. The expanded guidance is for North American Industry Classification System code 3116 and supersedes previous inspection guidance from October 2015, which was specifically for poultry processing facilities (NAICS code 311615).

Meat and poultry workers are seriously injured at double the rate of other workers, OSHA states. Additionally, the number of occupational illnesses in the processing and slaughtering industry was six times higher than the all-industry national average in 2022.

“At the same time, the rate of carpal tunnel syndrome in this industry was more than seven times the national average,” the agency says. “These workers also face other serious hazards, such as exposure to high noise levels, dangerous equipment and machinery, slippery floors, hazardous chemicals, and biological hazards associated with handling animals.

“Many workers in the meat and poultry industry have limited English proficiency, and the Labor Department has found an increased number of children working in the industry, often on maintenance and cleaning shifts. All workers, regardless of their socioeconomic background or immigration status, have the right to safe and healthy workplaces. This new guidance better protects all workers by ensuring inspections are done during second and third shifts and include contractors and temporary workers, and that training is provided in languages workers understand.”

Programmed and unprogrammed inspections under the 3116 NAICS code will cover the “focus hazards.” These include:

• Sanitation and cleanup operations
• Ergonomics/musculoskeletal disorders
• Personal protective equipment/payment for PPE
• Hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)
• Machine guarding

“The goal of the updated inspection guidance for animal slaughtering and processing establishments is to significantly reduce injuries and illnesses that result from occupational hazards through a combination of enforcement, compliance assistance and outreach,” OSHA says.