Evaluation of Ergonomic Risks, Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Peracetic Acid Exposure Among Employees at a Pork Processing Plant in Michigan

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dunn, Kevin H. ; Grant, Michael P. ; Rinsky, Jessica L.
• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  Management of a pork processing plant requested a health hazard evaluation of ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders among employees on the harvesting side of the plant. They were also concerned about employees' exposure to peracetic acid, a chemical used at the plant as a disinfectant. During our visits, we observed work processes and work practices
  
  ergonomically evaluated harvest job tasks
  
  collected air samples for peracetic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide
  
  measured peracetic acid, temperature, and relative humidity with direct reading instruments
  
  evaluated the local exhaust ventilation of the peracetic acid spray cabinet
  
  discussed medical policies and procedures for employees
  
  and conducted confidential interviews with employees. Most job tasks we evaluated had hand activity levels and force above ACGIH® guidelines. Work-related upper body musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms were common among harvesting side employees. Peracetic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide were detected at sampling locations near the peracetic acid spray cabinet using several scientific methods. Some of our recommendations included (1) reducing risk for musculoskeletal disorders by evaluating job tasks to find ways to reduce repetition, force, and awkward postures and finding job tasks that can be automated or assisted by engineering controls
  
  (2) improving the monitoring of musculoskeletal symptoms, injuries, and illnesses to see if interventions need to begin or be changed
  
  and (3) taking steps to reduce exposure to peracetic acid like ensuring that the peracetic acid spray cabinet is properly maintained and operating the ventilation system at a greater airflow.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Disinfectants Ergonomics Food-Processing Industry Food Handling Food Industry Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Ventilation
• Keywords:
  Acetic Acid Animal [except Poultry] Slaughtering Exhaust Ventilation Food Processing Workers Harvesting Hog Hydrogen Peroxide Meat Handlers Michigan MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders OSHA Region 5 Peracetic Acid Pork Posture Repetitive Work Slaughtering Upper Extremities

  More +
• Source:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2021-0117-3397, 2024 Apr ; :1-52
• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHHHE202101173397
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  52 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Beaucham, Catherine C. ; Booher, Donald E. ; Chiu, Sophia ; Gibbins, John ; Hamilton, Cheryl ; Hayden, Marie A. ; Moore, Kevin ; Omari, Amel ; Ramesey, Jessica G. ; Reynolds, Laura ; Watts, Shawna
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069728
• Citation:
  NIOSH [2024]. Evaluation of ergonomic risks, musculoskeletal disorders, and peracetic acid ; exposure among employees at a pork processing plant in Michigan. By Grant MP, Rinsky JL Dunn ; KH. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control ; and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2021-0117-3397,
• CAS Registry Number:
  Peracetic acid (CAS RN 79-21-0) ; Acetic acid (CAS RN 64-19-7) ; Hydrogen peroxide (>60% solution in water) (CAS RN 7722-84-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  311611 - Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering - (NAICS)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d2c3613063e2e18fb7cff62b9c42500661e137221cb8fa0e2ca858f8a874b83aa2e41c6bfac68f7ed5fb0d8adbdab2129d58e1889a7a086177a4eae1e2b7e9bd
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/172301/cdc_172301_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 942.82 KB ]