June 26, 2023
Speed vs. Safety: the poultry slaughter line in the chicken industry
If you work in the poultry processing industry, this information is relevant to you. We know that people who work on the chicken or turkey slaughter line do a very hard job working in the demanding conditions. For example: these speeds are dangerous for the workers because they are forced to work at a very fast pace, with heavy and sharp machinery. In some cases, they are not given opportunities to take bathroom breaks, wash their hands, adjust masks, etc.
Currently, the allowed speed is 140 birds per minute, in the case of chickens, and 55 birds in the case of turkeys. Already in 2018, several poultry processing plants obtained permits to increase the speed of chicken slaughter lines under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS). This allowed them to increase the speed to 175 birds per minute, through exceptions. That is, they had permission to work at speeds faster than normal.
During 2021, at the height of the pandemic, the Trump administration authorized 15 more plants to increase the speed of the slaughter line. This measure was controversial because of the difficulty of working faster and maintaining minimal COVID-19 protection measures, such as social distancing.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency responsible for ensuring that meat, poultry and egg products are safe and healthy for human consumption. It is also responsible for overseeing the production and processing standards of these birds, ensuring that they are not harmful to the workers.
As of 2022, FSIS announced a study of the effect of increased line speeds on the safety of workers. According to this announcement, all plants that applied for an exemption from the speed limit were required to submit health and safety data on the workers employed. This will raise the standard from 140 to 175 birds per minute for all plants, not just those that have requested exemptions.
The study will last two years, beginning in March 2023 and ending in March 2025. The participating plants so far are the following.
It is essential to generate new norms to unify speed standards that take into account the experience of working people like you, and the difficulties this presents for your health and safety at work. Two examples are:
Serious injuries and amputations: An average of 27 workers a day suffer amputation or hospitalization, according to new OSHA data from 29 states. Meat and poultry companies continue to be among the most dangerous.
Transmission of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Although there is resistance to officially accept this situation, some organizations and workers' groups point to an important correlation between the increase in line speeds and the increase in COVID infections.
Changes or modernization of work processes should not come before labor rights, or the well-being of workers. You have rights that protect you!
If you think you are suffering a violation of your health and safety in the workplace, you can:
Notify OSHA: 1-800-321-OSHA or find your local office.
Contact your nearest local National Council on Safety and Health (National COSH) group.
Call Centro de los Derechos del Migrante:
From Mexico: 800 590 1773
From the United States: 1 855 234 9699