Meatpacking Employee Safety Guide
the meatpacking industry is a huge corporation. There are billions of people in the world that eat meat in the world. Most of the meat has processed in a meatpacking building. Work in meatpacking is considered on of the most dangerous jobs in the world. There are a variety of dangers present while working with animals, raw meat and the equipment that is involved in the process. For such a large industry you would think that there would be better safety regulations and guidelines. Unfortunately most people do not follow the meatpacking employee safety guidelines. I order for all workers and consumers to remain safe it is important to work according to the meatpacking employee safety guide. Below you will find a detailed explanation of safety in a the meatpacking industry.
Hazards Of Working In A Meatpacking Factory
There are a large number of dangers that you face each day when working with live animals or raw meat. It is important to know what these risk are and how you can keep yourself safe while at work. The best way to prevent accidents and injuries is to be on the look out for them and being prepared for anything that may occur.
Knife cuts are the most common injury in a meatpacking factory. All employees should be trained how to properly use knives to avoid injuries. When you are using a knife your only task should be what you are doing. Avoid other distractions and concentrate solely on the meat you are cutting. Many of the cuts occur on the hands and torso. Cutting meat with a knife is dangerous for even the most skilled person. If your working conditions are poor which is often the case in a meatpacking factory you can be injured by your neighbors knife if they slip. Wearing cutting gloves can help reduce the amount of cuts to your hands by slowing or in some cases stopping the blade from actually cutting your skin. You can also wear leather aprons which can reduce the impact of a knife.
Toxic substances are another major issue for meatpacking workers. There are many different substances that are in use at all times while working with and near meat. Every employee should be trained to use them correctly and be able to tell you what each one is used for. Chemicals are often the only way to clean and sanitize an area covered in bacteria so it is important to know which one is to be used and how to use it. Ammonia is most commonly used in the refrigeration systems. Ammonia in the air is known to cause irritation to the eyes,nose and throat. If ammonia comes in contact with skin it can blister or burn depending on the type of ammonia and how long it is on the skin. If you get ammonia on your skin you must wash it off immediately.
Exposure to ammonia can cause headaches, a burning feeling in the throat and nose, nausea, perspiration and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms when working with ammonia you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Carbon monoxide is another toxic substance that you must watch out for when at work. Carbon is so dangerous because it is an odorless and colorless gas that can go undetected until it is to late. There should be carbon monoxide detectors throughout the entire factor. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and in extreme cases death if it is not detected early.
Like many other jobs that require you to repeat the same motion over and over again cumulative trauma can occur. The repetitive motion can cause carpal tunnel and tendonitis. Long term overuse of hands and wrist that are suffering from cumulative trauma can eventually develop permanent weakness and numbness. Cumulative trauma is often misdiagnosed as arthritis.
It should no surprise that you can easily become sick when working in a meatpacking factory. Constantly working with animals and their by products you are constantly putting yourself in danger of catching a disease. While some of these illnesses can be treated and only cause minor symptoms while others can be deadly.
Erysipeioia is an infectious bacteria that is transmitted through cuts, scratches and abrasions on the skin. The symptoms of Erysipeioia are skin irritation and redness around the infected area. If left untreated it can spread to the bloodstream and lymph nodes.
Brucelosis is another type of bacteria that can cause infection. It is most commonly contracted while working with pigs and cattle. Symptoms of Brucellosis are usually headaches, fever, joint pains, weakness, loss of appetite and night sweats.
Dermatophytosis is a fungal disease which can be transmitted by coming in contact with the skin or hair of the infected person or animal. This fungus is commonly known as ringworm. The symptoms of ringworm are loss of hair and yellow colored crust developing on the scalp.
Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is transmitted by coming in direct contact with an infected animal. You can also catch it from water, soil or vegetation that has been contaminated by the infected animals urine. The symptoms of Leptospirosis include achy muscles, fever, vomiting, eye infections, headaches and in severe cases liver and kidney damage.
If you are suffering form any of these symptoms you should get to a doctor immediately. If caught early most of these disease will have little to no lasting effects. If left untreated there are a variety of problems that could occur.
Personal Safety In A Meatpacking Factory
Your personal safety should always be your number one concern whether you are at home or work. While at work you should be taking extra precautions to keep yourself safe. Wearing the correct safety gear will help you reduce your chances of accidents or injuries occurring. You should always wear slip proof, steel toed work boots. They will protect you from slipping on wet or dirty floors. The steel toes will protect you from falling knives and other equipment.
You should wear goggles while working with the raw meat. They will help reduce the risk of blood splatter getting into your eyes and blood steam. A face mask will prevent blood or airborne bacteria from entering your mouth and nose. Any person working in a meatpacking factor should be wearing an apron to protect there torso.
In areas where the machines are running all employees should be wearing ear protection. Ear plugs are a great way to reduce noise and prevent injury from occurring to your ears. Hearing loss is permanent since there is no known way to reverse it. Since you are working in a factory with heavy machinery all workers should be wearing a hard hat at all times.
If you follow this meatpacking employee safety guide you will be a lot safer while working. Remember the best way to make it through the day is to work smart and safe.
Hazards Of Working In A Meatpacking Factory
There are a large number of dangers that you face each day when working with live animals or raw meat. It is important to know what these risk are and how you can keep yourself safe while at work. The best way to prevent accidents and injuries is to be on the look out for them and being prepared for anything that may occur.
Knife cuts are the most common injury in a meatpacking factory. All employees should be trained how to properly use knives to avoid injuries. When you are using a knife your only task should be what you are doing. Avoid other distractions and concentrate solely on the meat you are cutting. Many of the cuts occur on the hands and torso. Cutting meat with a knife is dangerous for even the most skilled person. If your working conditions are poor which is often the case in a meatpacking factory you can be injured by your neighbors knife if they slip. Wearing cutting gloves can help reduce the amount of cuts to your hands by slowing or in some cases stopping the blade from actually cutting your skin. You can also wear leather aprons which can reduce the impact of a knife.
Toxic substances are another major issue for meatpacking workers. There are many different substances that are in use at all times while working with and near meat. Every employee should be trained to use them correctly and be able to tell you what each one is used for. Chemicals are often the only way to clean and sanitize an area covered in bacteria so it is important to know which one is to be used and how to use it. Ammonia is most commonly used in the refrigeration systems. Ammonia in the air is known to cause irritation to the eyes,nose and throat. If ammonia comes in contact with skin it can blister or burn depending on the type of ammonia and how long it is on the skin. If you get ammonia on your skin you must wash it off immediately.
Exposure to ammonia can cause headaches, a burning feeling in the throat and nose, nausea, perspiration and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms when working with ammonia you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Carbon monoxide is another toxic substance that you must watch out for when at work. Carbon is so dangerous because it is an odorless and colorless gas that can go undetected until it is to late. There should be carbon monoxide detectors throughout the entire factor. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and in extreme cases death if it is not detected early.
Like many other jobs that require you to repeat the same motion over and over again cumulative trauma can occur. The repetitive motion can cause carpal tunnel and tendonitis. Long term overuse of hands and wrist that are suffering from cumulative trauma can eventually develop permanent weakness and numbness. Cumulative trauma is often misdiagnosed as arthritis.
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It should no surprise that you can easily become sick when working in a meatpacking factory. Constantly working with animals and their by products you are constantly putting yourself in danger of catching a disease. While some of these illnesses can be treated and only cause minor symptoms while others can be deadly.
Erysipeioia is an infectious bacteria that is transmitted through cuts, scratches and abrasions on the skin. The symptoms of Erysipeioia are skin irritation and redness around the infected area. If left untreated it can spread to the bloodstream and lymph nodes.
Brucelosis is another type of bacteria that can cause infection. It is most commonly contracted while working with pigs and cattle. Symptoms of Brucellosis are usually headaches, fever, joint pains, weakness, loss of appetite and night sweats.
Dermatophytosis is a fungal disease which can be transmitted by coming in contact with the skin or hair of the infected person or animal. This fungus is commonly known as ringworm. The symptoms of ringworm are loss of hair and yellow colored crust developing on the scalp.
Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is transmitted by coming in direct contact with an infected animal. You can also catch it from water, soil or vegetation that has been contaminated by the infected animals urine. The symptoms of Leptospirosis include achy muscles, fever, vomiting, eye infections, headaches and in severe cases liver and kidney damage.
If you are suffering form any of these symptoms you should get to a doctor immediately. If caught early most of these disease will have little to no lasting effects. If left untreated there are a variety of problems that could occur.
Personal Safety In A Meatpacking Factory
Your personal safety should always be your number one concern whether you are at home or work. While at work you should be taking extra precautions to keep yourself safe. Wearing the correct safety gear will help you reduce your chances of accidents or injuries occurring. You should always wear slip proof, steel toed work boots. They will protect you from slipping on wet or dirty floors. The steel toes will protect you from falling knives and other equipment.
You should wear goggles while working with the raw meat. They will help reduce the risk of blood splatter getting into your eyes and blood steam. A face mask will prevent blood or airborne bacteria from entering your mouth and nose. Any person working in a meatpacking factor should be wearing an apron to protect there torso.
In areas where the machines are running all employees should be wearing ear protection. Ear plugs are a great way to reduce noise and prevent injury from occurring to your ears. Hearing loss is permanent since there is no known way to reverse it. Since you are working in a factory with heavy machinery all workers should be wearing a hard hat at all times.
If you follow this meatpacking employee safety guide you will be a lot safer while working. Remember the best way to make it through the day is to work smart and safe.
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References
http://workplacesafetyexperts.com/workplace-safety-topics/meatpacking-employee-safety-guide/
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