The meatpacking industry helps keep the country fed. However, the industry is also very hard on its workers. Businesses need to run efficiently to keep prices affordable, which can put a lot of strain on their workers. Meatpacking companies need to turn out thousands of pounds of finished product per shift to keep the company profitable and the products they sell reasonably priced.
Meatpacking professionals are vulnerable to numerous serious injuries, with shoulder injuries being among the most common. Why do those processing meat in a commercial setting often sustain injuries to their shoulders in the line of duty?
Overexertion from heavy lifting
Meatpacking may involve moving heavy packages. There have been cases where numerous workers end up injured by lifting heavy boxes onto conveyor belts at meat processing plants. Lifting too much at once, especially while in a rush, can lead to sudden injury.
Cumulative trauma from arm movements
The actual job functions performed by meatpacking professionals, including slicing meat, can also cause shoulder injuries. Needing to hold an arm erect and regularly cut or tear through meat can cause cumulative trauma to the shoulders.
Professionals may find that their functional capacity diminishes over time because of the constant need to perform the same job tasks. A shoulder injury could very easily prevent a meatpacking professional from meeting employer metrics and maintaining their career.
Thankfully, workers’ compensation benefits can take some of the pressure off of injured meatpacking professionals. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can help replace lost wages and cover the medical costs of treating a significant shoulder injury.
