CHICAGO, Illinois: Workers in U.S. chicken and pork plants face significantly higher risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, compared to other manufacturing workers, according to two recent USDA studies.

The reports highlight the health challenges faced by employees in the meatpacking industry, where repetitive tasks and the use of sharp equipment are common. Many of these roles are filled by immigrants and undocumented workers, who make up over half of the workforce in the sector, compared to about 17 percent of the overall U.S. workforce, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

One USDA-funded study, which assessed 1,047 poultry workers across 11 plants, found that 81 percent were at elevated risk for musculoskeletal disorders. Workers handling more chickens per minute were at greater risk, although faster line speeds did not consistently correlate with increased injuries.

The Meat Institute, representing major producers such as Tyson Foods and JBS USA, emphasized that safety can be maintained even with increased processing speeds. "It is possible to maintain worker safety standards while operating at increased line speeds," the group stated.

In pork plants, 46 percent of 574 evaluated workers were identified as being at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders. The study noted variability in the impact of faster line speeds between facilities.

The studies also highlighted reluctance among workers to report injuries due to fears of retaliation or doubts about receiving adequate support. "Everyone works in pain and is afraid to speak out," one pork plant worker said.

Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents more than 15,000 poultry workers, says the challenges extend beyond musculoskeletal issues. "Poultry workers toil in cramped, cold conditions, slicing up birds thousands of times per hour as chickens rush down the line," he noted.

The findings underscore ongoing concerns about worker safety in an industry critical to food production in the U.S., with calls for improvements to mitigate risks and protect the workforce.