NIOSH Report Evaluates MSDs in Poultry Processing

NIOSH has issued the final report based on its health hazard evaluation at a South Carolina poultry processing plant. The final report reflects baseline information reported in September 2013 and incorporates further findings from follow-up data collection and analysis. NIOSH found that:

• 42% of workers in the study had evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• 41% of workers in the study worked in jobs involving hand activity and force above recommended limits for minimizing risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Of the 131 employees who participated in both the baseline and follow-up evaluations, at follow up 32% were performing job tasks that were above the recommended limits for hand activity and force.
• The most common reported  symptom involved the hand or wrist, with 39% of participants reporting these symptoms at both baseline and follow-up evaluations.
• 57% of these participants reported at least one musculoskeletal symptom (not including hand or wrist symptoms) at both baseline and follow-up evaluations.

According to the report, between the baseline and follow-up visits, the plant combined two evisceration lines, each operating at 90 birds per minute, into one line operating at 175 birds per minute. This change did not affect the number of birds each worker processes per minute. NIOSH adds that the evaluation results "may not reflect the increased prevalence of adverse health effects that might be experienced by workers in other plants that use different methods of increasing line speed." 

In the report, NIOSH recommends reducing the amount of hand activity and force; changing work schedule and rotation patterns and policies; and improving work practices related to tool and equipment use.