Fast Food NationChapter 8: The Most Dangerous Job

The Most Dangerous Job

It might come to a surprise that working at a slaughterhouse is the most dangerous job in the world.

“We’re treated like animals,” a source told the author

Each employee isn’t given fair jobs and they’re scared to speak out to be given help

One man, Kenny Dobbins’s story was shared, and by far he had the worst experiences as a worker in the slaughterhouse. While working, he had pierced his lower back into a conveyer belt, had his lungs burned by hazardous chemicals working in unbearable conditions with his body covered all over in blisters, he was also ran over by a train, broke his leg a little while after from stepping in a hole, and shattered his ankle on another occasion.

Typical Work Setting

The typical worker works in an environment in a hot and humid temperatures stinking of manure, while having to dodges cattle carcasses dangling on chains as each employee pulls out kidneys with his bare hands or slits a steer’s carotid artery. Each person wears safety goggles which constantly fog up and a hardhat, and is generally covered with manure and blood.

Years Later

After years of other accounts like this continuing on, with some resulting in death, finally safety measures were called to action with the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers) to prevent workers from getting hurt and supplying them with proper medical treatments and benefits once they are hurt.

Every year more than 25% of the meatpacking labor force is injured on the job, a rate three times higher than that of typical factory workers

Each Person Has long hours Dangerous jobs most done by hand No safety laws or restrictions No voice to speak out No benefits Some workers are given widespread

use of drugs, mainly methamphetamines to keep them awake and alert, decreasing the number of workers being injured

In Conclusion

This chapter is a inside look at how of the voice of some workers and their personal experiences as a slaughterhouse worker.