Work Safety in slaughterhouses: general aspects

Abstract

This study aimed at carrying out the characteristics existing in slaughterhouses work scenarios, taking into account the aspects that corroborate to ensure employees' health conditions, such as physical, chemical, biological risks, and, mainly, ergonomic. It is noted that the slaughterhouses have several changes that compromise the physical conditions of those who provide practical actions in these service spaces. The data from this research are seasoned due to issues involving ergonomic aspects such as Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMD) and temperature, humidity, risky materials, noise, extensive workloads, among other factors that compromise, significantly, the health of employees. In short, the scenarios lack changes and improvements in conditions of caring for the well-being of employees, as well as envisioning the need to ensure conditions for improving their materials, proposing a complementation in the training of their workers.

Physiological and Thermal Sensation Responses to Severe Cold Exposure (−20 °C)

“…Working in extreme cold is associated with impairments in tactile sensitivity and finger mobility, severe tremors, hypothermia, frostbite, chilblain, nerve and muscle functionality reduction, and musculoskeletal symptoms [1,6,[15][16][17][18]. In addition, the cooling of the tissues causes discomfort, decreased concentration and logical reasoning performance, and increased work accident rates [7,17]. Furthermore, working in a cold environment can impact some physiological parameters, leading to cardiovascular, respiratory, and dermatological complaints and diseases [19][20][21].…”

“…Furthermore, working in a cold environment can impact some physiological parameters, leading to cardiovascular, respiratory, and dermatological complaints and diseases [19][20][21]. The symptoms of prolonged exposure to cold include cardiovascular strain and high metabolic cost [4,7], irritation, redness, inflammation, and, in severe cases, skin ulceration on the cheeks, ears, and fingers [17]. Also, issues of incident wheezing and productive coughing in previously healthy workers, who, upon receiving more prolonged and intense wheezing at low temperatures, require increased ventilation during strenuous manual work with subsequent airway dysfunction may be present [6].…”