Olymel: three times more workers and ten times more accidents

The number of work accidents has exploded at the Olymel factory in Yamachiche for a few years. And the significant increase in staff does not explain everything.

There were 10 times more work accidents in 2024 than in 2017 at the old Atrahan factory in Yamachiche. Employees are three times more numerous.

Recall that Olymel bought Atrahan and Lucyporc in 2015. The area was doubled in Yamachiche and everyone was grouped in the same place in 2019, for an investment of $ 120 million.

In total, 33 accidents were listed in 2017, 489 in 2020 in full pandemic of Cavid-19, and 300 in 2024.

Once the COVVI-19 and the increase in personnel is considered in the equation, management and the union do not, however, identify the same causes to explain the increase in these accidents.

Cadence

For its part, the union points to the increase in the rate imposed by Olymel, that is to go from 400 to 600 pigs per hour, which the management refutes.

“If we had a rate that is lower, we would certainly have fewer bottlenecks, fewer breaks in the chain. And, at that time, the pace, for each of the workers would perhaps be more suitable, “explains the spokesperson for the United Food and Trade workers (TUAC), Roxanne Larouche.

“Doubling the number of employees has enabled us to increase rates. Because in fact, what you have to understand is that we add people to work on the lines, to come and compensate for this rate, “said the main director, an operational excellence for Olymel Lauren Jodoin.

Ergonomics and training

Management speaks rather of training, and ergonomics of workspaces.

It underlines the presence of the teams in place, people who deal with prevention, ergonomics, physiotherapy, and who work directly in this establishment.

Olymel claims to be on the right track to significantly reduce work accidents in 2025. Maybe even cut in half.

If the zero target seems utopian in a pig processing plant, that’s what we are targeting.

Automation and robotization could be a part of the solution, according to Olymel management.