A meat tenderizer is used in nearly every grocery store, and when used properly, they are safe and reliable. But when a machine is in poor repair, or when the built-in safety devices are removed or circumvented, the result is all too often catastrophic. Over the years we have observed a number of situations where tenderizers have been rigged or modified to operate without the protective guard in place.
Although there is no excuse for allowing this type of hazard to exist, the careless meat cutter’s justification is usually that the guard slows down production, and that the machine is safe without the guard “if you’re careful.” Both arguments are absurd. The vast majority of the meat cutters use the guard 100%of the time, and their production does not suffer in any way. And as we all know, there is no quicker way to interrupt production than with a serious injury. And it is also hard to imagine that most meat cutters who have been doing this type of work for even a brief period of time would truly feel safe using the machine without the guard even if “if he/she is careful.” The practice of using the machine without the guard is, in itself, a careless and dangerous act.
Often, an experienced meat cutter feels safe using a tenderizer improperly because their experience tells them that even without the guard, an accident “probably” will not happen. But unfortunately insurance statistics tell us that sometimes, tenderizer accidents do happen, and when they do, they are almost always severe…most involving permanent disfigurement and permanent reductions in the use of the involved hand and fingers. And, even if there is never an accident involving the tenderizer, a “Willful, Serious Violation” and the subsequent fine from OSHA is almost
certain if your store is the target of an inspection!
The bright side is this: tenderizer accidents and related OSHA fines can easily be prevented.While a new machine is fairly expensive, the protective guards alone generally cost between $100 and $200 (depending on the manufacturer and model of the machine you use). Avoid painful, costly and embarrassing trouble tomorrow by taking a few simple steps to make sure your meat department employees are safe today.