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Haddock bill to protect food processing workers OK’d by Labor Committee

Rep. Jim Haddock    January 28, 2026 | 12:06 PM

HARRISBURG, Jan. 28 – The PA state House Labor and Industry Committee today approved legislation, authored by Rep. Jim Haddock, that would better protect workers in the dangerous meat packing and food processing industries.

“Meat packing and food processing are among the most dangerous professions in the country. Many of these injuries are associated with improper training and communication, crowding on lines, exhaustion, unsafe working conditions, absence of protective equipment, and underlying injury,” said Haddock, D-Luzerne/Lackawanna.

“These workers are the definition of essential workers. Without them, our grocery store shelves would sit empty, and Pennsylvania’s economy would suffer. They deserve common-sense protections to keep them safe at work.”

Haddock’s H.B. 1923 would help strengthen protections by:

  • creating training requirements for employees in the meat packing and food processing industry. The training would have to be provided in languages that at least 5% of the employees speak.
  • requiring unpaid sick leave to be provided to industry employees.
  • establishing facility health and safety committees.
  • creating requirements for infectious disease exposure plans and infectious disease prevention plans.
  • establishing duties for the state Department of Labor and Industry and granting investigatory powers.
  • imposing administrative penalties for violations.
  • permitting civil actions.

Pennsylvania has over 2,300 food processing facilities and ranks among the top in the nation for food processing exports. Food produced and manufactured by the industry is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Drug Administration, and various state-level regulations.

“However, Pennsylvania needs a specific law tailored to protect workers in this dangerous industry. My common-sense approach to workplace safety would ensure that not only is the food we put on our tables safe, but the workers are as well,” Haddock said.

Recent data compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration explained that in the 29 states covered under federal OSHA, 27 workers a day suffered amputation or other hospitalization between 2015 and 2023 in meat packing alone. Some of the most frequently reported injuries are repetitive strain injuries, chemical burns, exposure to hazardous chemicals, caught-between falls, lacerations and cuts, amputations, and more.

The bill heads to the full state House of Representatives for consideration.

During the 2023-24 session, Haddock's H.B. 2235 was reported from the House Labor and Industry Committee and passed the full House 120-82. It was not considered by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.