16
USDA plan to jack up line speeds at meatpacking plants seems like a terrible idea
(www.motherjones.com)
Ultimately, the spokesperson said, “The USDA’s legal authority is strictly limited to ensuring food safety and process control; we do not have the power to regulate piece rates or how private companies manage their staff."
The USDA spokesperson said, “The safety and well-being of the workforce are essential to a stable food supply; however, worker safety is overseen by the Department of Labor, not USDA."
As someone working in the food industry, it boggles my mind that line speeds could be regulated in any sector. Meatpacking is not the only industry where higher line speeds mean worse working conditions for workers. Stronger enforcement of OSHA regulations is what we need to truly address these issues, not a USDA mandated line speed cap. USDA don't have worker safety in mind because that is literally not their job - they are responsible for food safety and quality.
Now that we have the FSMA, most medium and large food producers have robust food safety programs that submit themselves to 3rd party food safety & quailty audit every year. It should be the same for worker safety, which would make this whole line speed conversation essentially a moot point.