Preventing Cuts from Meat Slicers – Kitchen Safety – Stats and Facts

FACTS

  1. The blades of meat slicers can move at incredibly high speeds, sometimes up to 60 rotations per minute.
  2. Meat slicer operators are at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to repetitive motions.
  3. The most common types of injuries associated with meat slicers include cuts, lacerations, and amputations of fingers, hands, and arms.
  4. Injuries from meat slicers can be severe and life changing. A single injury could result in the loss of a finger, hand, or even an entire limb.
  5. Injuries from meat slicers can result in significant medical expenses and time off work to recover.
  6. Provide employees with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as cut-resistant gloves and aprons.
  7. Proper training in the safe use of meat slicers is essential to prevent injuries.

STATS

  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 30% of all injuries in the meat packing and processing industry are caused by machinery, including meat slicers.
  • The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that nearly half of all injuries sustained by food service workers involving a slicer or mandolin resulted in an amputation.
  • (NIOSH) reports that the most common injury associated with meat slicers is lacerations to the hands and fingers, which account for approximately 60% of all injuries.
  • 20,000 food service workers conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, more than 50% reported having been cut by a slicer at some point in their career.
  • The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that there were over 1,600 emergency room visits related to injuries caused by meat slicers and other food preparation equipment.
  • According to the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, roughly 4,000 amputations occur every year due to meat slicer injuries.
  • Meat slicers accounted for more than 700 restaurant worker injuries and 100,000 days of lost work.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that there were 4.1 cases of injury or illness per 100 full-time workers at food and beverage stores in 2019. There were also 54 fatalities, up from 42 fatalities.