Contents
36.1 Objective and Scope of Application
36.2 Furniture and Workstations
36.3 Stages, Walkways and Platforms
36.4 Product Handling
36.5 Lifting and Transportation of Products and Loads
36.6 Animal Reception and Unloading
36.7 Machinery
36.8 Equipment and Tools
36.9 Working Environmental Conditions
36.10 Personal Protective Equipment and Work Clothing
36.11 Occupational Risk Management
36.12 Risk Management Program and Occupational Health Medical Control Program
36.13 Working Time Arrangement
36.14 Activity Organization
36.15 Working Condition Assessment
36.16 Occupational Safety and Health Information and Training
Annex I of NR-36 - Glossary
36.1 Objective and Scope of Application
36.1.1 The objective of this Standard is to set the minimum requirements for the assessment, control and monitoring of risks existing in activities carried out in industries engaged in slaughtering and processing of meat and meat products for human consumption, so as to permanently ensure occupational safety, health and quality of working life, without prejudice to compliance with the provisions of other Regulatory Standards (NR) on Occupational Safety and Health.
36.1.2 The provisions of this Standard shall apply to all organizations engaged in slaughtering and processing of meat and meat products for human consumption.
36.2 Furniture and Workstations
36.2.1 Where work can be performed alternately in standing and sitting postures, workstations shall be designed or adjusted to facilitate posture switching.
36.2.2 To realize the alternate sitting and standing work specified in 36.2.1, the entity shall equip fixed workstations with seats in accordance with the assessment stipulated in Chapter 36.15, with no less than one seat for every three workers.
36.2.3 The quantity of seats at workstations allowing both standing and sitting operation shall be adequate to ensure posture switching, complying with provisions of 36.2.2.
36.2.4 For manual work performed in sitting or standing posture, workbenches, conveyors, roller tables, tables and machines shall ensure proper posture, sight line and operating conditions, and meet the following minimum requirements:
a) The height and surface features of working surfaces shall match the work type, required eye-to-work distance and seat height;
b) Dimensional design shall enable reasonable body posture and movement without excessive joint movement for both sitting and standing work;
c) The working area shall be within manual reach to ensure proper body positioning;
d) Free from sharp edges and burrs.
36.2.5 Working space dimensions shall be adequate to allow workers to move body parts freely and safely, facilitate work, reduce physical strain and avoid extreme or harmful working postures.
36.2.6 For sitting work, in addition to the provisions of Item 17.6.6 of NR-17 Ergonomics, work seats shall meet the following requirements:
a) Equipped with easily operable adjusting devices;
b) Made of materials with good thermal comfort and complying with legal hygiene and sanitation standards.
36.2.6.1 Where workers cannot reach the ground with feet even after seat adjustment, footrests adaptable to workers' leg lengths shall be provided with the following features:
a) With proper dimensions for reasonable body placement and movement, enabling posture adjustment and full sole support.
b) Equipped with easily adjustable height and inclination.
c) Fitted with non-slip surface materials complying with statutory hygiene and sanitation requirements.
36.2.6.2 Work furniture for sitting work shall meet the following requirements:
a) Matched height between working surface and seat.
b) Sufficient space and depth for proper thigh placement, seat arrangement and lower limb movement.
36.2.7 The following minimum requirements shall be satisfied for full-time standing work:
a) Horizontal and vertical reach ranges shall ensure correct postures and avoid excessive joint movements including shoulder lifting, overstretching of arms and neck, trunk bending and twisting.
b) Sufficient leg and foot space under working surfaces to allow workers to get close to operating positions and place feet completely flat.
c) Foot support bars shall be installed for lower limb posture adjustment where working conditions permit.
d) Seats or benches shall be arranged near working areas for rest breaks, covering no less than fifty percent of on-site workers.
36.2.8 For operations requiring continuous and repetitive operation of pedals and controls by feet or other body parts, workers shall alternate with work of different physical movement requirements.
36.2.8.1 If controls are operated by other body parts, their position and size shall ensure easy and safe reach and proper body movement.
36.2.9 Workstations shall be equipped with:
a) Non-slip floors complying with statutory hygiene and sanitation standards;
b) Water and waste drainage systems;
c) Working and passage areas sized to ensure safe movement of personnel and materials;
d) Weather protection for outdoor operations in accordance with the hierarchy of control measures specified in Item 1.4.1(g) of NR-1 General Provisions and Occupational Risk Management.
e) Regular cleaning and sanitization.
36.2.10 Cold Storage Rooms
36.2.10.1 Cold storage rooms shall be fitted with devices enabling effortless door opening from inside, as well as alarms or other communication systems operable indoors in case of emergency.
36.2.10.1.1 Cold storage rooms with temperature equal to or lower than minus eighteen degrees Celsius shall be marked with the maximum allowable staying duration.
36.3 Raised Stands, Walkways and Platforms
36.3.1 Raised stands used to adjust working surface height for standing operations shall have proper depth, width and height to ensure safe worker movement.
36.3.2 It is prohibited to use non-specified materials to temporarily adjust workstation height.
36.3.3 Platforms, fixed ladders and walkways shall comply with provisions of NR-12 Safety and Health at Work on Machinery and Equipment.
36.3.3.1 Where guardrails cannot be installed due to technical constraints such as evisceration and cutting work for large and medium-sized livestock on elevated platforms, preventive measures shall be adopted to ensure worker safety and correct body posture.
36.3.4 The height, layout and size of platforms shall conform to operation features to facilitate safe work, avoid excessive physical exertion and prevent extreme or harmful working postures.
36.4 Product Handling
36.4.1 Employers shall adopt technical and organizational measures to reduce physical exertion in product handling operations.
36.4.1.1 The handling of livestock and products shall not cause workers excessive physical strain, and the following minimum requirements shall be met:
a) All handled items shall be placed within the main reach range of workers in both sitting and standing postures;
b) The height of conveyors and other product storage devices shall be set properly to avoid excessive stretching and lifting of arms and shoulders;
c) Containers and product storage boxes shall be arranged for easy access, so as to prevent long-term frequent trunk twisting, bending, arm and shoulder lifting or stretching.
36.4.1.2 Containers such as boxes, trays and crates shall meet the following requirements:
a) Equipped with proper gripping structures or designed for safe and comfortable holding;
b) Free from sharp corners and edges that may cause irritation or injury;
c) Reasonable in size and shape to avoid increased physical labor;
d) Stable in structure.
36.4.1.2.1 The provisions in 36.4.1.2 shall not apply to cartons or sealed finished products.
36.4.1.3 Linear conveying systems, overhead mechanical rails and conveyors for split products shall be designed with proper specifications to avoid long-term unreasonable postures of upper limbs and neck.
36.4.1.4 Manual handling and carrying of bulky or heavy components endangering workers' safety and health are prohibited.
36.4.1.5 Technical handling tools shall be adopted for hard-to-handle goods.
36.4.1.5.1 If mechanical transportation is technically unfeasible, measures shall be taken to reduce handling frequency and times.
36.4.1.6 Control measures shall be implemented to prevent workers from continuous repetitive behaviors as follows:
a) Sudden impact movements of upper limbs;
b) Excessive physical exertion;
c) Excessive upper limb movements harmful to physical health;
d) Long-term vibration exposure;
e) Long-term hand immersion or contact with water.
36.4.1.7 In livestock processing work especially for large and medium-sized livestock:
a) Conveying equipment and mechanical aids shall be used to support loads, livestock carcasses and heavy tools;
b) Organizational and administrative measures shall be taken to reduce handling frequency and duration if mechanization cannot be realized;
c) Technical measures shall be taken to prevent accidents such as cutting, crushing and knocking caused by livestock movement during operation.
