The impact of this industry on the workers employed in it is often overlooked.
Workers in the animal agriculture industry are exposed to a range of risks and hazards, including physical injuries, stress, and exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins. The unsanitary conditions of the industry often lead to the buildup of gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause respiratory problems and other health issues for workers.
According to a report by VegNews, transitioning to plant-based agriculture could significantly improve the health and working conditions of workers in the animal agriculture industry.
A study1 conducted by Fitzgerald, Kalof, and Dietz investigated the impact of having a slaughterhouse in a community on crime rates within that community, using this as a metric for psychological health. The study found that slaughterhouses led to a larger increase in overall crime, as well as disproportionate increases in violent crime and sexual crime. The psychological harm experienced by slaughterhouse workers has been compared to that of combat veterans and survivors of disasters who suffer from stress disorders.
In a systematic review by Slade and Alleyne2 on the psychological effects of working in slaughterhouses. The study found that slaughterhouse workers can experience symptoms of Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress (PITS), which is similar to PTSD but results from situations where the person is a causal participant rather than a victim. PITS can manifest in various ways, such as anxiety, depression, dissociation, and increased aggression.
Another study by Leibler, Janulewicz, and Perry3 focused on self-reported occupational injuries among industrial beef slaughterhouse workers in the Midwestern United States. The study found a high prevalence of serious psychological distress among these workers, suggesting that the nature of their work negatively impacts their mental health.
The nature of the work, which involves the authorized killing of living/sentient beings, can lead to traumatic stress and other mental health issues. Whenever we buy meat, we are funding mental illness and destroying the lives of workers working in the industry.
There is a comparative study4 on the psychological symptom profile of butchers working in slaughterhouses and retail meat-packing businesses. It suggests that butchers exhibit lower levels of psychological well-being and increased incidences of negative coping behavior.
The key factor that contributes to the mental health issues experienced by butchers and slaughterhouse workers is exposure to animal suffering and death5 - Butchers witness and directly participate in the killing of animals, which can lead to feelings of guilt, trauma, and anxiety.
The animal slaughter industry has a significant impact on the health and well-being of workers employed in the sector. By focusing on the well-being of workers, we can create a more sustainable and equitable food system that benefits everyone.
Improved working conditions would also result from transitioning to plant-based / animal-free agriculture. Workers would no longer be exposed to the harsh and often dangerous conditions of the animal agriculture industry, including working with sentient/living beings and unpredictable animals. Instead, they would work in safer and more predictable environments, with fewer risks to their physical health and safety.
Furthermore, transitioning to plant-based agriculture could also provide opportunities for workers in the animal agriculture industry to transition to new and emerging roles in the plant-based food sector. As demand for plant-based products continues to grow, there will be a need for skilled workers in areas such as crop production, food processing, and distribution. This could provide new opportunities for workers to develop new skills and pursue new career paths while also benefiting from improved health and working conditions.
Written by Sagar Tandon, Partner at Beyond Impact.
If you have not subscribed, please do subscribe to keep up to date with my musings on the venture ecosystem, impact investing, conscious capitalism, and fund management.
A Call to Action: Psychological Harm in Slaughterhouse Workers, The Yale Global Health Review
The Psychological Impact of Slaughterhouse Employment: A Systematic Literature Review, by Jessica Slade and Emma Alleyne
Prevalence of serious psychological distress among slaughterhouse workers at a United States beef packing plant, by Leibler, Jessica H., Janulewicz, Patricia A., and Perry, Melissa J.
When working with animals can hurt your mental health, Science Daily