General Production Worker

Job duties

Original text, as filed with the Department of Labor.

The General Production Worker is responsible for the overall preparation of meat products for packaging and sale. Work may include harvesting, carcass processing, transporting carcasses to chillers and freezers, grinding of meats to create various products, slicing meat cuts for further processing, and packaging meats for sale, all while ensuring health and safety standards are met. Work is steady, repetitive in motion, and fast-paced.

Job duties include: manual handling of product; the use of hand tools, including knives, machinery, and equipment while processing, packaging, and shipping pork products; cutting carcasses for further processing; separating meat and byproducts; cleaning, trimming, slicing, sectioning, and weighing raw materials; inspecting meat products for defects, bruises, or blemishes, and removing them along with excess fat; checking products to ensure they are up to USDA standards; packaging cut products through a packaging machine; boxing products based on order specifications; monitoring machines and equipment and adjusting when necessary; adhering to all safety procedures and policies; and performing additional duties as requested by supervisor.

Equipment and/or machinery used to perform the tasks, include operating: 8410 Electric Pallet Trucks; Cryovac Brand 8600 Series Rotary Vacuum Chamber Series; Ham skinners, which are Townsend 7600 series skinners, including the Townsend 7650, and the Townsend 7620; and Wizard knife operators will use a system from Bettcher Industries, which utilizes a Wizard Quantum Motor with Quantum Flex Hand Trimmers that have various blade sizes.

Employer will offer a minimum of 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday; some Saturdays and Sundays may be required based on operational needs. Depending on whether the worker is stationed on the hot or cold side, the shifts will begin either between 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. or between 2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Shifts are either 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts. Overtime may be required as necessary to keep up with production demands.

Requirements

Physical demands: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the job, the employee will stand on a hard surface for the duration of their shift and will be required to move about the facility. The employee will perform repetitive hand and arm movements, carry, twist, bend, kneel, climb, balance, and squat. Depending on the level of duty assigned, the employee will: repetitively push or pull objects weighing 20 pounds and potentially up to 85 pounds. Regularly lift objects weighing less than 20 pounds and potentially up to 40 pounds. There is also a possibility of assistance with lifting up to 100 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters when performing the essential functions of the job. The environment may be cold, hot or humid, depending in which area of the facility the employee works. The employee will be regularly exposed to strong odors and the sight of hog blood. Noise level in the work environment is generally moderate but can be loud in the production area. The employee will work near machinery with moving parts and vibration.

Other Requirements: Applicants will be required to undergo a drug screen prior to hire (paid for by the employer) and pass a health assessment to ensure the applicant is capable of physically performing the job duties prior to hire. The applicant must be available to work six days a week. The applicant must be familiar with and understand safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. No education or prior work experience is required for this position.

Benefits and conditions