Citation

Conroy C. J. Saf. Res. 1989; 20(2): 47-53.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveillance efforts are directed towards identifying and studying high-risk industries. This research describes injuries and worker characteristics and suggests how these injuries may be prevented in one industry--the meatpacking industry. This industry has maintained the third highest injury rate among all U.S. manufacturing industries from 1976 through 1985. According to NIOSH data, 25 workers died from work-related injuries during 1980-1985. Injury data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Supplementary Data System show that 76% of injured workers suffered strains, sprains, lacerations, contusions, or abrasions. The two major types of injury are: Struck by or against objects (25%) and overexertion including lifting, pulling, and throwing (31 %). Handtools are involved in almost one half of all injuries. The occupations of over half of all injured workers are meat cutter (49%), butcher (2%), and packer and wrapper (4%). These findings suggest aiming preventive efforts towards workers in these jobs. However, more comprehensive and detailed surveillance systems are needed to further study workers at risk and evaluate preventive efforts.