BLS Data Confirms Injury Rates Decline

WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute today said the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that injury and illness rates in animal slaughtering and processing fell again in 2024, reaching an all-time low of 3.2 cases per 100 full-time workers — down from 3.6 in 2023.

“This milestone reflects sustained commitment across the industry to worker safety through better training, smarter technology, stronger safety cultures, and continuous improvement,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Our members take a comprehensive approach to the well-being of workers from providing health care services to childcare, education, and even housing. Meat packers and processors are investing in their workers.”

To support safe workplaces, Meat Institute members set a goal as a part of the Protein PACT to see the meat packing and processing sector further reduce workplace injuries by 50% (2019 baseline), on top of the 75% reduction achieved from 1999-2019.

The Meat Institute provides key industry programming to support this continuous improvement goal including a key industry event, the Environment, Labor and Safety + Conference.

About the Meat Institute

The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute’s hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit: MeatInstitute.org.