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Plant-Wide Hazards
Cuts and Lacerations
Cuts
and lacerations account for about 10% of injuries in the poultry
processing industry.
What are the causes of cuts and lacerations?
Manual
Cutting
Personal
Protective Equipment
- PPE,
such as cut-resistant gloves, are not provided by the employer,
or used by the employee.
- Cut-resistant
gloves are not cut-proof. They offer much protection from
cuts, but do not completely eliminate the potential for cuts.
- Gloves
provided are cut-resistant, but the characteristics of the
gloves are not appropriate for the job (i.e., a regular size
glove where a gauntlet type glove should be used).
Condition
of Knives and Scissors
- Knives
and scissors are not maintained in top condition.
- Knives
and scissors are not kept sharp.
- Knives
and scissors are of poor design, resulting in awkward grip
and/or hand position.
Workstation Design
- Employee
workstations are not adjustable, resulting in some employees
working in awkward positions.
- Improper
storage of knives. View Slide
- Employees
working too close together can result in cuts to adjacent
employees.
- Lighting is inadequate.
- Cutting
objects are held in the employee’s hand instead of on a stable,
hard cutting surface. View Slide
- Piecework
incentive programs encourage employees to work faster, often
at the expense of working safely.
Distractions
Employees
need to maintain their focus on the task they are performing.
Distractions such as loud noises, music, and poor lighting
can divert the employee’s attention, increasing the risk for
cuts and lacerations.
Automated
Cutting Systems
- Machine
guards are removed or missing.
- Adjustments are made while a machine is in operation.
- Machine
is cleaned while in operation.
- Protective
gloves can get caught in moving machinery and pull the employee's
hand into the machine.
What steps can an employer take to analyze the worksite for
cut and laceration hazards?
- Perform regular
evaluations of the work environment to ensure PPE is provided,
maintained, and used properly, machine guarding is in place and properly
adjusted, and Lockout/Tagout procedures are developed and implemented.
- Investigate incidents.
- Investigate near-miss incidents.
- Implement a system for employees to notify management of hazards that might
result in cuts and lacerations.
What can employers and employees do to prevent cuts and lacerations?
Manual
Cutting
Knives
Condition
- Keep knives sharp.
- Keep knives in good condition.
- Remove damaged knives from service.
Design
- Use the appropriate knife.
- Use knives with a comfortable handle.
- Use an
angled handle-blade design to reduce awkward
body positions.
Scissors
Condition
- Keep scissors sharp.
- Remove damaged scissors from service.
Design
- Use scissors with oversized cushioned grips and spring-action handles
to reduce fatigue and hand discomfort.
- Use offset
handles to reduce awkward wrist and arm positions.
- Ensure
an adequate supply of left-handed scissors for left-handed employees.
PPE
- Provide and use cut-resistant gloves.
- Maintain gloves in good condition.
- Remove damaged
gloves from service and replace them.
Workstation Design
- Ensure
work surfaces are at an appropriate height for employees.
- Ensure
there is adequate workspace around each employee.
Automated
Cutting Systems
Machine Guarding
- Make sure machine
guards are in place, adjusted properly, and used.
- Replace guards
that have been removed for adjustments, repair, or cleaning, before the machine is started.
- Use PPE when guards are removed for cleaning, repairing,
and adjusting machinery.
Lockout/Tagout
- Lock out and/or block out all
sources of energy before
any adjustment, repair, or cleaning is conducted on machinery.
- Use PPE when guards are removed for cleaning, repair,
and adjusting machinery.
Specific
OSHA Requirements
OSHA Requirements for the prevention of cuts and lacerations are
contained primarily in 29 CFR 1910 Subparts I, J, and O.
The general requirement that tools and equipment must be in a safe
condition is contained in 29
CFR 1910.242, Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general.
Additional explanation of the OSHA requirements for the control of hazardous energy and for the use of
hand and portable powered
tools can be found in OSHA's Small
Business Handbook (OSHA Publication 2209-02R). Also available as a 260
KB PDF,
56 pages.
NOTE:
Employers in states with state-run safety and health plans should
check with their state
agency. Their state may enforce standards
that, while "as effective as federal standards," may not be identical
to the federal requirements.
Accessibility Assistance:
Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at 202-693-2300
for assistance accessing PDF materials.
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