February 23, 2021

 

Workers at US pork plant report increased injuries after plant speeds up slaughtering

 

Seaboard Foods workers at a pork plant in Guymon, Oklahoma, United States are reporting more injuries after plant increases slaughtering speeds to boost pork supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported.

 

Seaboard, the second biggest swine producer in the US after Smithfield Foods, increased production speeds at its Guymon plant last year after limitations on pork plant line speeds were removed by the US government in late-2019. It was the first plant to operate under the new regulations that allowed plants to further increase meat production.

 

One worker, Hector Ixquier, sought medical treatment after he strained his tendons in his right arm while draining blood from swine. He transferred to this position five months ago after increased slaughtering speeds made it difficult for him to work his previous position of  wrestling chains around pigs' hind legs before slaughtering.

 

Other workers have suffered physically due to the increased speed. The company requires workers to slaughter between 1,230 and 1,300 swine hourly, according to two plant workers who are also union stewards. Before the increased speeds, it was 1,100 swine per hour.

 

David Eaheart, a spokesman for Seaboard, said the company works to improve processes and equipment, employing more workers to ensure workload is manageable and safe.

 

Eaheart said the new slaughter speed regulations boosts the company's ability to adjust operations on demand. Seaboard aims to average 1,200 swine per hour, but adjusted speeds because the pandemic has resulted in fewer staff.

 

The previous government imposed limit was 1,106 swine per hour, but the new rule abolishes any limit as long as plants can prevent fecal contamination and minimise bacteria.

 

New US President Joe Biden's administration had withdrew a proposal to allow poultry plants to operate faster planned by the previous Trump administration, but it will be difficult to reverse the new pork rule as it is already in effect, according to lawyers.

 

The new rule is part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s New Swine Inspection System, which also allows pork plants to use their own inspectors instead of those from the USDA.

 

Pork inventories in commercial freezers in the US have run down following COVID-19 related slaughterhouse closures last year, record exports in 2020, and consumers stockpilijg food during the pandemic. Total pork inventories in cold storage were at a 10 1/2 year low at the end of December.

The local United Food and Commercial Workers International union chapter representing workers at the Guymon plant said there is a correlation between increased production speeds and more workers seeking medical attention. The union did not provide numbers.

 

- Reuters