From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov Transcript for: Workplace Safety at Meat and Poultry Plants Description: An animated look at some health and safety concerns of meat and poultry workers--and what a federal agency can do to help. Related GAO Work: GAO-18-12: Workplace Safety and Health: Better Outreach, Collaboration, and Information Needed to Help Protect Workers at Meat and Poultry Plants Released: December 2017 [ Background Music ] [ Image: GAO and OSHA logos. Workers on chicken processing line. ] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as OSHA, works to help address working conditions and concerns for meat and poultry workers. Let's take a look at some of the safety, health, and other issues we reviewed. [ Image: Worker receives an injury and is given a small bandage by nurse. ] Injuries and the first aid available to workers can be a concern. The type of work done in meat and poultry plants can cause injuries such as cuts, repetitive motion injuries, broken bones, and amputations. In some cases plant health units may send injured workers back to work without adequate medical attention. [ Image: Worker on processing line stares nervously at bathroom door. ] Another concern that workers may have is bathroom access. Workers on a slaughter and processing line may need to be replaced before they can leave their stations which may make timely access to bathrooms more difficult, potentially causing health problems for workers. [ Image: Chemicals shower chicken carcass and flow into drain. Worker coughs. ] Air quality can be another issue. Plants apply anti-microbial chemicals to meat and poultry to help ensure that it's safe to eat. This process can affect air quality, and some workers have experienced respiratory problems. [ Image: A worker being asked about a safety issue hesitates before talking about it. ] OSHA faces challenges identifying and addressing concerns like these because workers may fear dismissal or other punishment for speaking with inspectors--even though such retribution is against the law. [ Image: GAO logo. ] For more on what OSHA is doing to protect meat and poultry workers, and additional steps they could take, check out our report, GAO-18-12.