IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Knife-sharpening and honing techniques in several meat and poultry plants, and development of a knife-honing training programme

Abstract

The force workers in pork slaughterhouses and processing plants must exert is primarily determined by the condition of their knives. Although knife-sharpening is each worker's own responsibility, no training is available for this complex task. Working from explanations provided by 18 workers recognized as expert sharpeners, a consensus was arrived at concerning knife characteristics, tools, techniques, vocabulary and concepts. This was followed by task analysis of knife-sharpening. The study resulted in the production of the Manuel du formateur à l'affilage [Guide for Sharpening Instructors], and of a video entitled Coupera ou coupera pas? [Will it or Won't it Cut?] These teaching tools were field validated by workers.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0092-0600
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 1999
Team:
  • Nicole Vézina (Université du Québec à Montréal )