1. Adetejuola Gbosi INDH 5335 Fall 2016
Poultry processing
Adetejuola Gbosi
INDH 5335
Fall 2016

2. Poultry processing
Poultry workers carry out physically demanding tasks and as a result have excessive exposures to ergonomic risk factors. Tasks in poultry processing include:
Shackling/Live Hang - birds are picked from conveyor and hung on shackles.
Killing (stunning, bleeding, scalding, picking)
Removal of feet, head, neck
Evisceration
Cutting and deboning
Packing/Cold Storage
Hazards include bending, lifting, reaching, prolonged standing, bending of neck and wrist.

3. Poultry processing Floor

4. Ergonomic risk factors
Study of a poultry plant in Maryland showed that 342 workers processed 177,000 birds/day or 885,000 birds over a 5-day workweek. Average weight was 8lbs.
Repetition
Awkward Postures
Extended reaching
Wrists deviations
Force
High hand lifting
Heavy lifting
Vibration
Contact Stress
Cold Temperatures

5. Potential syndromes & body parts affected
Carpal tunnel syndrome  wrists
Bursitis and Rotator cuff  shoulders
Trigger Finger  fingers
Epicondylitis  elbows
Neck and Low Back pain  neck & back

6. Causes of Syndromes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Studies show that CTS is the most prevalent of all syndromes among poultry workers. CTS is 2.5 times higher in poultry workers than other manual workers, and 3 times higher than the national average in 2012.
Caused by repetitive use of hand in tasks such as:
Shackling
Eviscerating
Cutting
Washing
Trimming
Deboning

7. Prevention
Job rotation to reduce fatigue and alleviate stress of particular sets of muscles
Proper use and maintenance of tools. Dull knives will require exertion of more force.
Staff floaters that can provide breaks between scheduled break
Use good fitting thermal gloves that allows easy grasping when exposed to cold temperatures
Allow pauses to rest muscles

8. Available fixes
Tool handle and design – the shape of the tool helps to minimize bending of wrists when processing poultry. It also minimizes finger force and contact with palms. Average cost of this shaped knife is $27 a piece.

9. Available fixes cont’d.
Cutting scissors – it reduces finger force and encourages neutral posture. Price range from $100 and above.

10. Available fixes cont’d
Manual eviceration tool reduces wrist deviation.

11. Available fixes cont’d.
Workstations – a section of the work surface is cut out to allow better reach by the worker handling the meat on the surface table. This setup prevents excessive leaning. Prices will vary based on the size of the work surface.

12. Available fixes cont’d.
Modified Lazy Susan: 16 inch in diameter, adjustable rotating device for easy reach. Includes a foot pedal for height and angle adjustment. Cost is $2000. Repetition is not reduced.

13. Available fixes cont’d.
Workstation height and angle – this adjusts to fit the worker or task being performed. Proper height adjustment helps in minimizing bending and lifting of the arms when cleaning and prepping the birds. Average cost of a step ladder is $300.

14. Available fixes cont’d.
Seats and Stools – includes backrest that provides support for workers. This also reduces prolonged standing for workers who are at a fixed workstation. Prices can range from $200

15. Available fixes cont’d.
To minimize bending and heavy lifting; Height adjustable scissors lift. Average range is from $500.

16. references
N.C. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Division, A Guide to Safe Work Practices in the Poultry Processing Industry [cited 2016 Oct 25]. Available from
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Poultry Processing [cited 2016 Oct 25]. Available from
Ramsey J, Musolin K, Mueller C Evaluation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Musculoskeletal Disorders among Employees at a Poultry Processing Plant [cited 2016 Oct 25]. Available from pdf
Wong, E (UCSF) Chen, X (UC Berkeley) Ergonomics. University of California[cited 2016 Oct 26] Available from