
Swine Processing Line Speed Evaluation Study (PULSE)
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) contracted with a research team from the
University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF) to study the impact of evisceration line speed on
worker safety in swine processing establishments. The scope of work was to “assist the FSIS in
assessing the relationship between evisceration line speed in young chicken and swine slaughter
establishments and the scope, magnitude, and factors that influence worker safety and health risks for
establishment employees impacted by the speed of the slaughter line.” The study team evaluated the
impact of evisceration line speed on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and
antimicrobial-related respiratory symptoms. This report summarizes the findings for swine
processing establishments.