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Deboning
Task 5: Trimmer
Trimming is usually the last processing step before packaging or quick freezing. Trim lines often
produce specialty products according to customer specification. Trimmers remove pieces
of bone, fat, tendons, gristle, or blemishes in the meat as well as perform specialty cutting
to produce tenders and nuggets. Many of the items, such as bone and fat, that are easily
grasped can be pulled away from the meat using only the fingers. Although a knife can be used,
for the majority of these operations the tool of choice is usually scissors.
Hazards of this task may include:
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Ergonomic hazards from use of scissors
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Hazardous Situation:
Use of traditional scissors forces the fingers to repeatedly
open and close the jaws, which can stress tendons, increasing the risk of
tenosynovitis and
carpal tunnel. Contact trauma to the sides to fingers can damage nerves, which can cause numbness
and tingling in the tips of the fingers and thumb.
Possible Solutions:
- Provide
pneumatic scissors;
these scissors can be activated by employees with
little finger force and with the wrist in a neutral posture. A cut proof glove
should be used on non-cutting hand.
- Provide
spring
activated scissors; these scissors open
automatically after each cutting motion.
- Rotate
to those tasks that do not require scissor use.
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Standing for a long time
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Hazardous Situation:
Standing for a long time
reduces blood flow to the legs, forces isolated muscles to work for an extended
time, and increases risk of fatigue and varicose veins.
Possible Solutions:
- Install
sit/stand stools, which allow
employees to lean and have their weight supported while still remaining in an upright
posture.
- Rotate
employees to tasks that do not require prolonged standing.
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Provide
shoe insoles that cushion the feet and spread foot pressure over a larger surface.
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Provide a foot rest
in front of employees so they can shift their posture.
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Reaching
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Hazardous Situation:
Employees repeatedly reach to a conveyor or shelf to obtain parts for trimming and reach to place
finished product in tubs or receptacles. Repetitive reaching stresses
the shoulder and upper back.
Possible Solutions:
- Use
diverter bars to push the product closer to the employee.
- Reduce width of the work area so the product is
presented closer to the employee.
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Position
cones and other work fixtures so all activities of the task can be performed with the elbows in close
to the torso.
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Provide height-adjustable stands,
where appropriate, to place employee in proper orientation to the work surface.
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