JNIOSH

Abstract of SD-No.27

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan

Analysis of Labor Accidents Caused by Food Processing Machines

SD-No.27
Shigeo UMEZAKI, Kyoko HAMAJIMA and Hiroyasu IKEDA

:Although approximately 2,000 labor accidents (resulting in employees being absent from work for more than four days) caused by food processing machines occurred in 2006, the actual state of these accidents has been analyzed. This study analyzed 69 fatal accidents that occurred between 1990 - 2007, and 1,487 accidents that occurred in 2006 resulting in employees being absent from work for more than four days. The results obtained from this study are as follows:
    1) Types of industries in which labor accidents frequently occurred
Of the 1,487 accidents, resulting in employees being absent from work for more than four days, 984 accidents (66.2%, nearly two thirds of the accidents) occurred in the food production industry. Moreover, 465 accidents(31.3%, nearly one third of the accidents) occurred in service industries. In service industries, 246 accidents (16.5%) occurred in the retail industry and 134 accidents (9.0%) occurred in the restaurant business. Of the 69 fatal accidents, 64 accidents (92.8%) occurred in the food production industry, and only four accidents (5.6%) occurred in the service industries.
    2) Types of accidents
Of the 1,487 accidents, resulting in employees being absent from work for more than four days, 715 accidents (48.1%) were caused by the employee being cut or rubbed by machine, and 714 accidents (48.0%) were caused by the employee being crushed or drawn into a machine. Therefore, 1,429 accidents (96.1%) were caused by cut, rubbed, crushed or drawn into a machine. Of the 69 fatal accidents, 57 accidents (82.6%) were caused by an employee being crushed or drawn into a machine, and only four accidents (5.8%) were caused by an employee being cut or rubbed.
    3) Types of machines
Of the 1,487 accidents, resulting in employees being absent from work for more than four days, 337 accidents (22.6%) were caused by vegetable and fruit processing machines, 270 accidents (18.1%) were caused by meat processing machines, 171 accidents (11.5%) were caused by fish processing machines, 165 accidents (11.1%) were caused by bakery machines, 141 accidents (9.5%) were caused by confectionery machines, and 121 accidents (8.1%) were caused by noodle processing machines. Specifically, 1,205 accidents (81.0%) were caused by these machines. Of the 69 fatal accidents, 13 accidents (18.8%) were caused by noodle processing machines, nine accidents (13.0%) were caused by confectionery machines, six accidents (8.7%) were caused by bakery machines, six accidents (8.7%) were caused by vegetable and fruit processing machines, and six accidents (8.7%) were caused by packaging machines. Nearly 60% of the fatal accidents were caused by these types of machines.
    4) Types of movable parts
Of the 1,487 accidents resulting in employees being absent from work for more than four days, 650 accidents (43.7%) were caused by movable parts used for cutting or sawing. These movable parts were attached to slicers,cutters, etc. Moreover, 184 accidents (12.4%) were caused by movable parts for mixing, stirring, crushing, or grinding; 108 accidents (7.3%) were caused by moving parts used for milling or rolling; 64 accidents (4.3%) were caused by moving parts used for molding, die-cutting, or compressing; 58 accidents (3.9%) were caused by belts, pulleys, wheels, gears, or chains. Specifically, 1,109 accidents (74.6%) were caused by these types of movable parts.
    5) Quantitative risk evaluation according to the type of movable parts
Regarding fatal accidents, and accidents resulting in employees being absent from work for more than four days, risk was estimated according to the type of movable parts. The risk was higher in cutting or sawing mechanisms (slicers or band saws), followed, in descending order, by mixing, stirring, crushing, or grinding mechanisms (mincers or mixers); milling or rolling mechanisms; supplying, feeding, pumping, or conveying mechanisms; molding, die-cutting, or compressing mechanisms; and belt, pulley, wheel, gear, or chain mechanisms. The total number of work-days lost, due to accidents caused by these mechanisms, was calculated as 177.9 × 103days/year, resulting in the loss of approximately 80% of the entire work-days lost (223.6 × 103days/year).
The risk of accidents caused by cutting or sawing mechanisms was overwhelmingly high. The severity of accidents caused by mixing, stirring, crushing, or grinding mechanisms was high, and the number of these accidents was considerably large. In the future, we recommend implementing appropriate protective measures for safeguarding against these mechanisms in order to ensure safety, food sanitation, and economical efficiency.

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