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 Handling
  • Food Industry
  • Food-Processing Industry
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Occupational Health
  • Safety
  • Ventilation
• Keywords:
  • OSHA Region 5
  • Ergonomics
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • MSD
  • Meat handlers
  • Disinfectants
  • Upper extremities
  • Repetitive work
  • Posture
  • Exhaust ventilation
  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
• 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
  More +
• 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:
  • Acetic acid (CAS RN 64-19-7)
  • Hydrogen peroxide (>60% solution in water) (CAS RN 7722-84-1)
  • Peracetic acid (CAS RN 79-21-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  311611 - Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering - (NAICS)
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/172301/cdc_172301_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 942.82 KB]
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d2c3613063e2e18fb7cff62b9c42500661e137221cb8fa0e2ca858f8a874b83aa2e41c6bfac68f7ed5fb0d8adbdab2129d58e1889a7a086177a4eae1e2b7e9bd