Meat Cutter Hazards in Meat Markets and Departments
Introduction
Heaviest boxes belong on mid-level shelves to minimize risk for back and shoulder
strain injuries.
Meat cutters working in grocery store meat departments or independent meat markets (butcher shops) perform tasks that put them at risk for injuries due to cutting tools and machinery, high-force or repetitive motions, heavy boxes, slippery floors, and other potentially hazardous conditions.
Fortunately, you can use the information on this topic page to help identify and address these and other potential hazards in your workplace.
Rules
- Accident Prevention Program WAC 296-800-140.
- Chemical Hazard Communication WAC 296-800-170.
- Electrical Safety: Basic Electrical Rules WAC 296-800-280.
- Emergency Action Plan WAC 296-24-567 (1).
- First Aid (including Emergency Washing Facilities) WAC 296-800-150.
- Fire Safety: Portable Fire Extinguishers WAC 296-800-300.
- Housekeeping, Draining and Storage WAC 296-800-220.
- Lock-Out/Tag-Out (Control of Hazardous Energy) Chapter 296-803 WAC.
- Machine Safety, Chapter 296-806 WAC:
- Requirement for All Machines WAC 296-806-200.
- Requirements for Specific Machine Hazards WAC 296-806-300.
- Conveyors WAC 296-806-420.
- Food Processing Equipment WAC 296-806-425.
- Saws and Cutting Heads WAC 296-806-480 (see WAC 296-806-480 for band saws).
- Other applicable rules in Machine Safety, Chapter 296-806 WAC.
- Other applicable rules in the Safety and Health Core Rules, Chapter 296-800 WAC.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) WAC 296-800-160.
- Prohibited Duties for Minors WAC 296-125-030.
- Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities and Procedures WAC 296-800-23020.
Meat-cutting bandsaw. Courtesy of Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
Policies
Hand Protection When Using Knives in Food Preparation (42 KB PDF) DOSH Directive 5.96.- Emergency Washing Facilities (377 KB PDF) DOSH Directive 13.00.
Hazard Alerts
- Food-processing equipment amputates worker’s hand and forearm (127 KB PDF), (DOSH Hazard Notice).
- Latex Allergy.
- Use extreme caution when using meat slicers (from WorkSafeBC).
- Young worker seriously injured while clearing meat grinder (WorkSafeBC).
Training
Accident Prevention
- Accident Prevention Program (APP) (online course).
- Job hazard Analysis (online course).
- Developing Effective Safety Committees (no-fee L & I workshop).
- Accident Investigation Basics (no-fee L & I workshop).
Chemicals
- Chemical Hazard Communication (online course).
- Chemical Hazard Communication Training Kit (for instructors).
- Workers' Guide to Hazardous Chemicals (brochure in English & Spanish).
- Ammonia Safety, poster (GCCA/OSHA).
Emergencies
In addition to PPE use, emergency washing facilities, including eyewashes, are required to minimize injury to eyes and skin should accidental contact with chemicals that are corrosive, strong irritants, or toxic occur.
- Emergency Washing Equipment (online course).
- Using a Fire Extinguisher (online course).
- Fire Extinguisher Basics (OSHA eTool).
- First Aid for General Industry (online course).
-
First Aid Contents Guide (handout).
Knives
- Ten Safe Handling Hints for Knives (flyer).
- Meat Cutter Safety (online course).
Machine safety
- Basics of Machine Safeguarding Hazards and Solutions (booklet).
- Machine Safeguarding (online course).
- Lockout/Tagout (online course).
- Hazards of Food Slicers and Safeguarding and Other Controls for Food Slicers (OSHA safety talk).
- Hazards of Meat Grinders and Safeguarding and Other Controls for Meat Grinders (OSHA safety talk).
- Hazards of Meat-Cutting Band Saws and Safeguarding and Other Controls for Meat-Cutting Band Saws (OSHA safety talk).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Hand Protection (online course).
- Eye Protection (online course).
- Eye and Face protection (OSHA eTool).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide.
Slips and falls
- Slips, Trips, and Falls-Module 1 (online course) .
- Slips, Trips, and Falls-Module 2 (online course).
- Test your skills in preventing slips, trips and falls (online course).
Sprains and Strains (Ergonomics)
- Four Steps to Proper Lifting (FSP0-918-000) (poster)
- How to Control Repetitive Hand and Wrist Tasks (online course).
- Lifting Hazards (online course).
- Preventing Back Injuries (no-fee L & I workshop).
- Quick Tips for Lifting-English/Spanish (Consejos breves para levantar cargas) (F417-055-909) (fact sheet)
DVDs and Videos
- Back Your Back: Back & Muscle Injury Prevention (to preview or download).
- Food Service Safety: Preventing Falls & Strains (to reserve).
- Hazard Communication video list (to browse and reserve).
- High Impact: Hand Safety (to reserve) (Spanish version available).
- Job Safety Analysis (to preview or download).
- Knife Safety in the Workplace (to reserve).
- Safety Showers & Eye Washes (to reserve).
- Work Smarter, Not Harder: Ergonomics in the Workplace (meat processing) (to reserve).
- Search L&I’s video catalog for other titles and subjects (to reserve).
Other Resources
Meat grinder.
Courtesy of NIOSH Face Program.
General Safety Program Development
Sample Accident Prevention Program – General Industry/Beyond Compliance.- Successful strategies in the Food Processing Industry (SHARP guideline).
Knives, Slicers, and Other Blades
- Supermarket Meat Department (Q & A from CCOHS).
- Use of Cut-Resistant Gloves for Meat Cutting (fact sheet).
-
Cuts cut productivity and profits in food processing and Spanish version (tips sheet from SHARP).
-
Knife & Food Slicer Injuries to Restaurant Workers (228 KB PDF) (Injury Fact Sheet).
- Meat Cutters Should Have Five Fingers On Each Hand (WorkSafeBC poster).
-
That's gotta hurt, save your fingers, use the guards. (WorkSafeBC poster).
Machinery Safety
- Basics of Machine Safeguarding Hazards and Solutions (evaluation guide).
- Know Your Lockout Tag out Safety procedure (L&I) (poster).
Strains & Sprains (Ergonomics)
- Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders for Retail Grocery Stores, (OSHA guideline).
Slips and Falls
-
Preventing Slips and Falls (poster).
- Slip, Slop, and Slide (WorkSafeBC poster).
Wrapping Meat Trays. Courtesy of Canadian Centre For Occupational Health and Safety.
Related Topics
- Accident Prevention Program.
- Chemical Hazard Communication.
- Emergency Washing.
- Emergency Washing (Eyewash).
- Ergonomics.
- First Aid.
- Job Hazard Analysis.
- Machine Safety.
- Office Safety & Health.
- Personal Protective Equipment.
- Prohibited Duties for Minors.
How can I get help from L&I?
- Call or visit your local L&I consultation or risk manager today to ask for technical assistance or to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
- Find information about filing a workplace safety & health complaint. You may also call or visit a local L&I office to file a complaint.
- For general information, call 1-800-423-7233.
