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Evisceration
Task 3: Neck Breaker
The
neck breaker uses a knife to cut the neck of the bird. Most companies have eliminated
this position by installing an automatic neck breaking machine. Employees
serve as backup to this machine.
Hazards of this task may include:
Standing for a long time |
Hazardous Situation:
Standing for a long time reduces blood flow to the legs, forces isolated muscles to work for
an extended time, and increases risk of fatigue and varicose veins.
Possible Solutions:
- Install
sit/stand stools, which allow
employees to lean and have their weight supported while still remaining in an upright
posture.
- Rotate
to tasks that do not require prolonged standing.
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Provide
shoe insoles that cushion the feet and spread foot pressure over a larger surface.
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Provide a foot rest
in front of employees so they can shift their posture.
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Reaching to the shackles |
Hazardous Situation:
Neck Breakers perform various tasks by reaching repeatedly to
the shackles. Reaching creates stress on the arms, shoulders, neck, and back.
Possible Solutions:
- Lower shackles
and/or move them closer to employees so they can perform the task with elbows in close to body.
- Install height-adjustable stands so employees can properly position themselves.
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Install
automatic machines and ensure they are working properly.
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Rotate workers to tasks
that use different parts of the body or that work at a slower pace.
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Ergonomic hazards from use of knives |
Hazardous Situation:
Workers use a knife to cut the neck away from the body. The
cutting motion may entail some bending of the wrist. Factors such as poorly fitting gloves, slick handles, inappropriately
sized handles, or dull knives increase the force that must be used. Finger
force and bending the wrist are recognized risk factors for developing many hand
injuries; minimize these factors when performing cutting tasks.
Possible Solutions:
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Keep knives sharp and in good condition.
- Remove damaged
knives from service.
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Use knives
appropriate for the task.
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Keep the wrist
as straight as possible during the
cutting task.
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Provide properly sized
gloves.
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