This page addresses the hazards in the poultry processing industry. This industry can be divided into two stages each with its own particular hazards. The first stage is the raising of live birds to the desired weight, delivery to the processing plant and preparing the live birds for slaughtering. The second stage is the slaughtering, processing, and packaging of the birds. Major hazards in the first stage are generally respiratory hazards resulting from exposure to organic dusts (litter, manure, dander) and ammonia. These are controlled using ventilation and personal protective equipment (PPE). Additional hazards include those associated with agricultural machinery, feed delivery systems, waste removal systems, and ergonomic hazards especially as birds are prepared for slaughtering. A potentially significant hazard is the presence of microbiologicals and endotoxins in the organic dusts. In the second stage, common elements in an effective safety and health program include control of ergonomic hazards to prevent cumulative trauma disorders, machine guarding and PPE to prevent cuts, care of walking/working surfaces to reduce trips and falls, design and maintenance of electrical systems, and lockout/tagout procedures to prevent accidental startup of machinery.

There are currently no specific OSHA standards for poultry processing.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to poultry processing.

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this industry or may have different enforcement policies.

Frequently Cited Standards

A listing of the most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA for Poultry Slaughtering and Processing Industry Group (SIC code 2015) is available.

Standard Interpretations

• Personal Protective Equipment
• Interpretation of the Personal Protective Equipment standard. (1995, July 3)
• Sharp knives and utensils in the workplace. (1991, December 10).
  
  
• Machine Guarding
• Compliance policy on unguarded rotary knives used in poultry processing industries. (1992, November 19).
  
  
• Search all available standard interpretations.

Hazards and Solutions

Avian Flu

• Avian Flu. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  
  
• Information on Avian Influenza. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). Includes key facts, information about the virus and its spread, outbreaks, and information for specific groups such as the poultry industry.
    
• Avian Influenza. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic.

General

• Contracting Occupationally Related Psittacosis. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1994, August 8).
  
  
• Poultry Processing Industry. OSHA eTool. Focuses on identifying and controlling major hazards that contributed to the high rates of injuries found in a recent OSHA Survey of the industry. Other serious hazards are also discussed. Examples used are from the processing of chickens, but may be applicable to other bird processing.
  
  
• Meat Packing Industry. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
  
  
• Agricultural Operations. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Electrical

• Electrical. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Ergonomics

• Ergonomic Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants. OSHA Publication 3123, (1993). Contains sections on management commitment and employee involvement; preventive program elements; and detailed guidance and examples of program elements.
  
  
• For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page.

Evacuation/Fire Safety

• Evacuation Plans and Procedures. OSHA eTool. Assists businesses to implement an emergency action plan, and to comply with OSHA's emergency standards.
• Maintenance, Safeguards, and Operational Features for Exit Routes. Describes the safe use of exit routes during an emergency, lighting and marking exit routes, fire retardant paints, exit routes during construction, repairs, or alterations, and employee alarm systems.
  
  
• Fire Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Hispanic Resources

• Spanish-Language Compliance Assistance Resources. OSHA.
• OSHA Podemos Ayudar
• Hispanic Outreach Quick Start
  
• Hispanic Outreach [23 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2007, January).

Lockout/Tagout

• For additional information, see OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Safety and Health Topics Page.

Machine Guarding

• Compliance policy on unguarded rotary knives used in poultry processing industries. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1992, November 19).
  
  
• For additional information, see OSHA's Machine Guarding Safety and Health Topics Page.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Interpretation of the Personal Protective Equipment standard. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1995, July 3). 
  
  
• Sharp knives and utensils in the workplace. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1991, December 10).
  
  
• For additional information, see OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety and Health Topics Page.

Walking/Working Surfaces

• Walking/Working Surfaces. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Additional Information

• Delineate policies, procedures and responsibilities which will guide the working relationship of the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) and the USDA-FSIS. OSHA Memorandum of Understanding, (1994, February 4). Memorandum of understanding for inspection personnel and procedures for inspections within the meat and poultry industries.
  
  
• Ergonomic Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants. OSHA Publication 3123, (1993). Contains sections on management commitment and employee involvement; preventive program elements; and detailed guidance and examples of program elements.
  
  
• Ventilation of Poultry Slaughtering and Processing Plants. National Agricultural Safety Database, (1995, August). Also available as a 58 KB PDF, 4 pages. Discusses ventilation options to prevent contamination between operations.
  

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^*These files are provided for downloading.