According to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), meat and poultry plant workers face severe hazards on the job; many work injuries are thought to go unreported.
Following a request from congressional Democrats, the GAO performed a study of hazards in slaughterhouses and processing facilities across the U.S. to assist the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in better understanding the dangers within these work environments.
The GAO report found that injuries in the meatpacking industry are higher than in other manufacturing fields. Repetitive processes contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Prior OSHA inspections imply workplace injuries in the meatpacking industry are underreported, though the extent of the issue is unclear. Immigrants and other vulnerable workers may feel pressured to keep quiet about injuries out of fear of losing their jobs.
In some cases, workers do not receive proper medical care. In-house health units may perform first-aid treatments and give over-the-counter medications instead of sending an injured employee to a physician. The employee may also be pressured not to report the incident.
Through interviews with meat and poultry facility workers, the GAO learned of numerous incidents where employees received punishment for visiting the in-house health unit too frequently. The health unit staffers reportedly ignored employees who wanted further medical treatment for their injuries.
Representatives from industry organizations claim workplace injuries are not underreported, saying injury rates have even dropped from 9.8 incidents per 100 full-time employees in 2004 to 5.7 incidents in 2013. The implementation of automation in the workplace has reduced the frequency of on-the-job injuries.
If you have been injured on the job, GWC Injury Lawyers will fight to help you obtain the benefits you may be entitled. Our workers’ compensation attorneys work to maximize compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages resulting from your workplace accident.
