USDA Warns Boosting Meat Line Speed Needs Proper Staffing (1)

Increasing line speeds without adequate staffing levels raises the risk of injury for meat processing facilities, according to a USDA study.

The study recommends that all facilities either increase job-specific staffing levels, decrease line speeds, or do both since job-specific line speed and staffing levels are important drivers of musculoskeletal disorders.

Acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su said the injuries are too common, often go unreported, and can be mitigated with safety controls like having more workers on the line and an effective ergonomic plan.

“I hope that meat and poultry companies do what is needed to make worker ...