November 26, 2019

US poultry processing injuries and illnesses at its all-time lowest

According to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2018 Injury and Illness Report, occupational injuries and illness related to the US poultry processing industry fell 84% over the last 25 years.

The 2018 report said only 3.5 cases were reported for every 100 full-time employees annually, a drop from 3.8 cases in 2017. This rate is lower than the 5.1 cases reported in similar agriculture-based industries, and below the 4.2 cases reported by the entire food manufacturing sector. 3.4 cases for every 100 full-time employees were reported for all manufacturing-based businesses.

For the poultry industry, this is a significant 84% drop from 1994, when the figure was 22.7 cases for every 100 full-time employees - showcasing how much the industry has improved in terms of employee safety.

The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council said the poultry industry will continue to emphasise workplace injury prevention, which includes carpal tunnel syndrome, through the implementation of ergonomics and medical intervention, as well as the application of new technology and workplace automation systems.

Members of the council include the US Poultry & Egg Association, the National Chicken Council and the National Turkey Federation, representing 350,000 employees and 95% of poultry products in the country.

The three organisations said the report acknowledges the poultry industry's safety achievements, and aims to surpass the safety milestone reported by all manufacturing- based businesses next to safeguard their employees' workplace safety.

-      National Chicken Council