Illnesses and injuries reported by Latino poultry workers in western North Carolina

Abstract

Symptoms reported exceeded rates reported by other community, clinical, and occupational samples. Findings suggest policy changes and research are needed to reduce the high rates of occupational illnesses and injuries in this vulnerable population.

Ethnographic Evaluation of a Lay Health Promoter Program to Reduce Occupational Injuries among Latino Poultry Processing Workers

“…This region has a total of five poultry processing plants belonging to three different companies. With input from a community advisory board, the partnership undertook efforts to document the physical and psychosocial impacts of poultry employment on Latino workers in western North Carolina 4,11,20 and to develop ways of assisting workers individually and collectively in protecting themselves from the demands of this work.…”

“…10 Suspected undercounts of injury and illness are corroborated by published studies of Latino poultry processing workers indicating that 60% of workers reported symptoms indicative of work-related illness. 11 Recent congressional hearings on occupational injury and illness undercounts concluded that as much as 69% of injuries and illnesses never find their way into the OSHA statistical summaries. 12 During the past several decades, poultry processing and meatpacking facilities have become concentrated in rural communities, largely in the South.…”

“…12 During the past several decades, poultry processing and meatpacking facilities have become concentrated in rural communities, largely in the South. 1,11,13 Although the industry has historically relied on minority workers, today fully 42% of poultry processing workers are Hispanic and 26% are foreign-born. 3 This ethnically diverse workforce creates a variety of problems that likely undermine occupational health.…”

“…Also, reliance on immigrant, frequently foreign-born workers creates substantial potential for exploitation, as undocumented workers are unlikely to file a work-related complaint. 9,11,13 Health, safety, and legal-rights information can be provided to workers in a number of different ways. The use of promotoras de salud to deliver health information and health services has been advocated as a way to extend existing health service delivery and provide culturally competent services for minority and immigrant populations.…”

G3-2 Assessment of Risk Factors of Upper-limb Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Chicken Slaughterhouse

“…Nonetheless, improvements in the working conditions have not grown at the same rate as production increased (Sardá et al, 2009). Slaughtering and meat processing work involves high loading intensities and cyclic repetitive muscle actions of the upper limbs, which may represent an elevated risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (Quandt et al, 2006;Lipscomb et al, 2008). According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (2013) risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in poultry plants are the repetition, forceful exertion, awkward and static postures, vibration, and cold temperatures In consideration to these risk factors, the OCRA checklist was developed to analyze the workers exposure to various risks of developing upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) (strength demand, repetitiveness, inappropriate posture and inadequate movements, lack of recovery periods, and others defined as "complementary") related to activities performed (Colombini and Occhipinti, 2006;Occhipinti et al, 2000).…”