Workplace Injuries at Meat Packing Plants

Silverman, McDonald & Friedman upholds the rights of injured workers throughout Delaware. If you have suffered an injury or contracted an illness in the course of your job duties, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Please visit one of our offices in Newark, Seaford or Wilmington to learn more about how we can help.

The dangers of working in the meatpacking industry are the stuff of legend, and were chronicled in Sinclair Lewis’ novel, The Jungle, written more than 100 years ago. Today the working conditions may have improved slightly, but it is still an industry with workplaces that are fraught with hazards to workers and low pay as well. Workers in the meat-packing industry are prone to many types of workplace injuries including, high noise levels, dangerous equipment, slippery floors musculoskeletal disorders and hazardous chemicals according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the illness and injury rates for the meat packing industry are 2 1/2 times higher than the national average.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report in May 2016, reveals that the injury and illness rates have been significantly underreported by the BLS, so they do not accurately reflect what is happening in this dangerous industry. The GAO report also reveals that some workers are denied proper medical treatment on the job, and that they often do not report an injury out of fear of losing their jobs. The report covers the years between 2005 and 2015, and shows that working conditions have not improved much since the last report was conducted in 2005.

Carpal tunnel syndrome and other workplace injuries in the meat packing industry

Repetitive motion injuries, also referred to as cumulative trauma disorders, which are caused by the fast, repetitive motions of the fingers, wrists, arms shoulders and neck throughout the entire work day. When these same tasks are repeated day in and day out for long periods of time, workers can get carpal tunnel and other repetitive stress injuries (RSI).

Other common injuries suffered by meat packing employees include:

• Cuts
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Skin disorders
• Exposure to toxic chemicals

In the OSHA Safety and Health report on the meat packing industry, they provide a list of common elements of an effective safety and health program which includes the following:

• Implementing an ergonomics program
• Protecting workers’ hearing
• Providing personal protective equipment
• Guarding dangerous equipment
• Maintaining clean walking and working surfaces to prevent slip and fall
• Protecting workers from hazardous chemicals
• Adhering to OSHA safety standards

Employees who have suffered workplace injuries may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim, which will give them a partial wage replacement payment, medical expenses and a financial settlement for any permanent disabilities resulting from a workplace injury.

If you work in the meatpacking industry and you have suffered an injury while doing your work, you may want to schedule a consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we are here to protect your rights to fair compensation and to represent your interests when you have been injured or contract an occupational disease during the course of your daily work tasks. You are welcome to call 302-888-2900 fill out our contact form to make an appointment for a free consultation at our offices in Wilmington, Newark or Seaford today.