Shellfish Processing Industry in Eastern Canada
Shellfish species Processed in Eastern Canada
Map of Shellfish Processors in Eastern CanadaOccupational Health and Safety in Shellfish Processing
Occupational Asthma and Allergies
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Other Occupational Health and Safety Risks
Prevention of Crab Asthma
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SHELLFISH PROCESSING
Work in shellfish processing is potentially quite dangerous and workers can experience a broad range of risks to their health including:
- occupational asthma and allergy (OAA),
- work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD),
- slips and falls,
- cuts and abrasions,
- exposure to cold,
- exposure to chemicals, and
- envenomation related to exposure to toxins.
Quebec researchers have been studying snow crab OAA for more than twenty years. Recent Nova Scotia research has examined respiratory problems associated with Jonah crab processing, Prince Edward Island research has looked at respiratory problems in rock crab processing plants, and Newfoundland and Labrador research focused on snow crab asthma and allergy. Overall, this research has identified a varied but generally high prevalence of occupational asthma and allergy to different species of crab among workers (12.5% - 16.3%).
There have been many studies on WMSD among food processing workers including fish processing workers. However, there are few published studies concerning shellfish workers. Researchers at SafetyNet, Memorial University’s Community Research Alliance on Health and Safety in Marine and Coastal Work, have just completed a major study with regards to this issue. This research identified 87% of surveyed workers in the study plant having WMSD symptoms, with the three most frequently affected body parts being: 1) shoulder areas (52%), 2) hands and fingers (40%), and 3) legs and feet (35%).
In Eastern Canada, fish and shellfish processing workers generally live in single-industry communities. They are often female, seasonally employed, poorly paid and, as in other seasonal activities, a growing proportion of them are migrant workers moving within and between provinces. As with other rural and marginal workers, economic vulnerability, isolation, limited access to specialists and other factors contribute to under-reporting of occupational injuries and diseases in the sector and to related gaps in prevention and treatment. Research has shown that workers with OAA can experience substantial health, socio-economic and quality-of-life impacts that may endure after they leave their jobs.
It is possible to reduce the prevalence and severity of WMSD, OAA and other shellfish processing occupational health risks. It is also possible to improve the support and options available to affected workers. This website is designed for use by workers, employers, health professionals and others interested in learning more about the risks associated with shellfish processing and ways to reduce those risks.
Our main focus is on OAA and WMSD, as these two conditions tend to be poorly understood. They may also pose serious challenges to rural health professionals seeking to diagnose the problems and provide access to effective treatment. In addition, affected workers can experience major health, socio-economic and quality-of-life impacts that may continue after they leave their jobs.
Occupational Health in Seafood Processing: Risks and Resources (PDF)
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