According to a recent article in The Guardian, the meat industry sees on
average two human amputations a week, making jobs in
the meat industry some of the most dangerous in America.
average two human amputations a week, making jobs in
the meat industry some of the most dangerous in America.
Amputations, broken fingers, severe burns, and
head trauma are just some of the common injuries suffered by U.S. meat industry
workers every week. In fact, these workers are reportedly three times more
likely to suffer serious injury than the average American worker, with pork and
beef slaughterhouse workers nearly seven times more likely to suffer repetitive
strain injuries.
head trauma are just some of the common injuries suffered by U.S. meat industry
workers every week. In fact, these workers are reportedly three times more
likely to suffer serious injury than the average American worker, with pork and
beef slaughterhouse workers nearly seven times more likely to suffer repetitive
strain injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
received 270 incidents in a 31-month period spanning 2015 to 2017. The majority
of the incidents involved amputations of fingers, but there were records of
lost feet and limbs, such as arms. This period saw a total of 550 serious
injuries, which came from 22 of the 50 states, meaning the nationwide total is substantially
higher.
received 270 incidents in a 31-month period spanning 2015 to 2017. The majority
of the incidents involved amputations of fingers, but there were records of
lost feet and limbs, such as arms. This period saw a total of 550 serious
injuries, which came from 22 of the 50 states, meaning the nationwide total is substantially
higher.
One of the more graphic incidents reported involved
a sanitation crew employee climbing down from a machine after removing parts
from the upper portion. The employee placed one foot into a horizontal grinder,
losing all five toes.
a sanitation crew employee climbing down from a machine after removing parts
from the upper portion. The employee placed one foot into a horizontal grinder,
losing all five toes.
Countless reports have highlighted the
dangerous and unsanitary conditions workers face at factory farms and
slaughterhouses. From being subjected to many workplace hazards to being denied breaks, workers are often
mistreated and exploited. They not only sustain severe injuries but suffer respiratory illnesses and
infections by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
dangerous and unsanitary conditions workers face at factory farms and
slaughterhouses. From being subjected to many workplace hazards to being denied breaks, workers are often
mistreated and exploited. They not only sustain severe injuries but suffer respiratory illnesses and
infections by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In addition to posing physical dangers, the
work at factory farms and slaughterhouses often leads to psychological trauma. According to PTSD Journal, many factory farm and
slaughterhouse workers must emotionally disconnect from their work to cope
with the daily abuse and killing of animals. This emotional dissonance often
leads to domestic violence, social withdrawal, anxiety, drug and
alcohol abuse, and PTSD.
work at factory farms and slaughterhouses often leads to psychological trauma. According to PTSD Journal, many factory farm and
slaughterhouse workers must emotionally disconnect from their work to cope
with the daily abuse and killing of animals. This emotional dissonance often
leads to domestic violence, social withdrawal, anxiety, drug and
alcohol abuse, and PTSD.
The conditions at factory farms and
slaughterhouses are dangerous not only for humans but for animals. From throwing chicks into macerators to tearing baby cows from their mothers, the
meat, dairy, and egg industries routinely abuse animals. What’s worse, this systematic torture is 100 percent legal.
slaughterhouses are dangerous not only for humans but for animals. From throwing chicks into macerators to tearing baby cows from their mothers, the
meat, dairy, and egg industries routinely abuse animals. What’s worse, this systematic torture is 100 percent legal.
It’s easy to blame workers for how animals are
treated, but most workers have little power over how things are done. And while
it’s certainly true that animals pay the ultimate price, farmworkers are oppressed by the same system
that values profit over all else.
treated, but most workers have little power over how things are done. And while
it’s certainly true that animals pay the ultimate price, farmworkers are oppressed by the same system
that values profit over all else.
You can take a stand for workers and animals
by switching to a compassionate vegan diet. Click here to get started.
by switching to a compassionate vegan diet. Click here to get started.
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plant-based recipes head over to our Pinterest
page.
