cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/53152091
Following an anonymous complaint in February, OSHA inspected the plant and fined Smithfield Foods $9,931.60 after observing workers’ exposure to “amputation hazards.” This was preceded by serious citations in 2021, 2023, and 2025.
Working in a slaughterhouse is extremely dangerous. In the US, there are approximately two amputations per week, primarily due to the industry’s poor working conditions and excessively fast pace.
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As reported by KWQC, the leaders also acknowledged “community concerns” over a backlog of rendering material – animal waste, internal organs, and decaying meat – being stored outside the plant, causing a strong, unpleasant smell in the city.
Yes, of course everything that can be done to decrease the risk should be done. No one is arguing that. Im aware of the saw stop. To say any amputation is too many is farcical, everything you do has a risk. You can only minimize them. You work with sharp things cuts will happen. Yes minimize them, but cuts and amputations can, and will happen. Im not saying the regulations are sufficient, they clearly aren’t. Yes there should be penalties that actually hurt the company, accidents happen they always will