Health and Safety at Work: Analysis from the Brazilian Documentary Film Flesh and Bone

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of this article is to make some analysis on the process of work and accidents occurring in slaughterhouses, evidenced in the Brazilian documentary film called Flesh and Bone. As such, it was necessary to discuss an alternative theoretical concept in relation to theories about health and safety at work. This alternative discussion focuses on the concepts of biopower and biopolitics.MethodsThe use of audiovisual elements in research is not new, and there is already a branch of studies with methodological and epistemological variations. The Brazilian documentary Flesh and Bone was the basis for the research. The analysis of this documentary will be carried out from two complementary perspectives: “textual analysis” and “discourse analysis.”ResultsFlesh and Bone presents problems related to health and safety at work in slaughterhouses because of the constant exposure of workers to knives, saws, and other sharp instruments in the workplace. The results show that in favor of higher production levels, increased overseas market sales, and stricter quality controls, some manufacturers resort to various practices that often result in serious injuries, disposal, and health damages to workers.ConclusionFlesh and Bone, by itself, makes this explicit in the form of denunciation based on the situation of these workers. What it does not make clear is that, in the context of biopolitics, the actions aimed at solving these problems or even reducing the negative impacts for this group of workers, are not efficient enough to change such practices.

Work Safety in slaughterhouses: general aspects

“…Working in slaughterhouses presents a series of risks, both from accidents and occupational diseases (Mendes, Santos, & Ichikawa, 2017). Therefore, companies in this sector must adopt measures to prevent and mitigate health risks (Vogel, Karltun, Eklund, & Engkvist, 2013).…”

Beyond Health and Safety at Work: Reflections on Biopolitics in Occupational Health as an Important Component of International Health Security

“…It is this biopolitics that allows us to look at the number of accidents, mutilations or illnesses in the world without blaming the capitalist system or entrepreneurs for this daily genocide. The normalization and standardization processes except the responsibilities for those events considered to be exceptional or pathological [10]. The prescribed work generates a level of non-responsibility and an attempt to adapt human beings to work processes and not the other way around.…”

“…And it is not only due to an unfavorable economic condition, as many of these countries have rapidly industrialized, receiving many international industries, which seek low social and environmental regulations [9]. But it is the question of the value of human life [10].…”

Relevant occupational health and safety risks in the Portuguese food processing industry

“…Increasingly, issues related to the health and safety of workers are valued, as the inclusion of OSH preventive measures in companies, can prevent occupational diseases and occupational accidents, considering all productive activities and technological processes involved (Mendes et al, 2017). It will contribute not only to the reduction of the number of fatalities but also to the reduction of the number of deaths, incapacities, lost workdays, also for the resulting economic and social costs.…”