§ 310.1 - Extent and time of post-mortem inspection; post-mortem inspection staffing standards.  


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  • § 310.1 Extent and time of post-mortem inspection; post-mortem inspection staffing standards.

    (a) A careful post-mortem examination and inspection shall be made of the carcasses and parts thereof of all livestock slaughtered at official establishments. Such inspection and examination shall be made at the time of slaughter unless, because of unusual circumstances, prior arrangements acceptable to the Administrator have been made in specific cases by the circuit supervisor for making such inspection and examination at a later time.

    (b)

    (1) The staffing standards on the basis of the number of carcasses to be inspected per hour are outlined in the following tables. Standards for multiple inspector lines are based on inspectors rotating through the different types of inspection stations during each shift to equalize the workload. The inspector in charge shall have the authority to require the establishment to reduce slaughter line speeds where, in his judgment, the inspection procedure cannot be adequately performed at the current line speed because of particular deficiencies in carcass preparation and presentation by the plant at the higher speed, or because the health condition of the particular animals indicates a need for more extensive inspection.

    (2) Cattle inspection. For all cattle staffing standards, an “a” in the “Number of Inspectors by Stations” column means that one inspector performs the entire inspection procedure and a “b” means that one inspector performs the head and lower carcass inspection and a second inspector performs the viscera and upper carcass inspection.[1]

    (i) Inspection Using the Viscera Truck.

    Steers and Heifers

    Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number of inspectors by stations
    Head Viscera Carcass
    1 to 27aaa
    28 to 56bbb
    57 to 84111
    85 to 86121
    87 to 143221

    Cows and Bulls

    Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number of inspectors by stations
    Head Viscera Carcass
    1 to 27aaa
    28 to 55bbb
    56 to 77111
    78 to 81121
    82 to 134221

    (A) Rules for determining adjusted maximum slaughter rates for single-inspector kills considering walking distance according to the table in this subdivision: Determine the distances the inspector actually walks between the points shown in columns 2 through 14 of the following table. For each column, determine the deduction figure opposite the appropriate number of feet in column 1. Compute the total of the deduction figures for columns 2 through 14. The adjusted maximum rate is the maximum rate in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section minus total of the deduction figures. If the resultant number is not a whole number, it must be rounded off to the next lowest whole number.

    One-Inspector Cattle Kill - Viscera Truck

    [Table of deductions from maximum slaughter rates for each 2 feet between points (in tenths of cattle per hour)]

    1
    Number of feet between points
    2
    Head rack and high rail
    3
    Viscera and low rail
    4
    Low rail and head rack
    5
    Head rack and carcass2
    6
    Carcass2 and washbasin
    7
    Tags - brands and low rail
    8
    Viscera and washbasin
    9
    Viscera and high rail
    10
    Low rail and high rail
    11
    Head rack and closest washbasin
    12
    Washbasin and high rail1
    13
    Head rack and washbasin1
    14
    Viscera and tags - brands
    Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls
    100000000000000000000000000
    30000000000000000000000000.10
    5000.100000000000.10.10.1000000000.20.1
    7000.10.10.10.100000.10.10.10.20.20.20.10.10000000.30.3
    9000.20.10.10.100000.10.10.10.30.30.30.10.1000.10.10.10.10.40.4
    110.10.10.20.20.20.200000.10.20.20.40.40.40.20.2000.10.10.10.10.50.6
    130.10.10.30.20.20.200000.20.20.20.50.50.50.20.2000.10.10.10.10.60.7
    150.10.10.40.30.30.300000.20.30.30.50.60.60.30.3000.20.20.20.20.70.9
    170.10.10.40.30.30.300000.30.30.30.60.70.70.30.300.10.20.20.20.20.91.0
    190.10.10.50.40.40.400000.30.40.40.70.80.80.40.400.10.20.20.20.21.01.1
    210.20.20.50.40.40.400000.30.40.40.80.90.80.40.400.10.30.20.30.21.11.3
    230.20.20.60.50.50.500000.40.50.50.91.00.90.50.500.10.30.30.30.31.21.4
    250.20.20.70.50.50.500000.40.50.51.01.11.00.50.500.10.30.30.30.31.31.5
    270.20.20.70.50.60.500000.40.50.61.11.21.10.60.600.10.30.30.30.31.41.7
    290.20.20.80.60.60.600000.50.60.61.21.31.20.60.600.10.40.30.40.31.51.8
    310.30.20.80.60.70.600000.50.60.71.31.31.40.70.700.10.40.40.40.41.61.9
    330.30.30.90.70.70.700000.60.70.71.31.41.40.70.700.10.40.40.40.41.72.1
    350.30.31.00.70.80.700000.60.70.81.41.51.50.80.800.20.50.40.50.41.82.2
    370.30.31.00.80.80.800000.60.80.81.51.61.6.0.80.800.20.50.50.50.51.92.3
    390.30.31.10.80.90.800000.70.80.91.61.71.70.90.900.20.50.50.50.52.02.4
    410.40.31.10.90.90.900.100.10.70.90.91.71.71.80.90.900.20.60.50.60.52.12.6
    430.40.41.20.91.00.900.100.10.70.91.01.81.81.91.01.00.10.20.60.50.60.52.22.7
    450.40.41.20.91.00.900.100.10.80.91.01.81.92.01.01.00.10.20.60.60.60.62.32.8
    470.40.41.31.01.11.000.100.10.81.01.11.92.02.11.11.10.10.20.60.60.60.62.42.9
    490.40.41.41.01.11.000.100.10.81.01.12.02.12.21.11.10.10.20.70.60.70.62.53.1
    510.50.51.41.11.21.100.100.10.91.11.22.12.22.21.21.20.10.30.70.70.70.72.63.2
    530.50.51.51.11.21.100.100.10.91.11.22.22.32.31.21.20.10.30.70.70.70.72.73.3
    550.50.51.51.21.21.200.100.11.01.21.22.32.32.41.31.30.10.30.80.70.80.72.83.4
    570.50.51.61.21.31.200.100.11.01.21.32.32.42.51.31.30.10.30.80.70.80.72.93.5
    590.50.51.61.31.31.300.100.11.01.31.32.42.52.61.41.40.10.30.80.80.80.83.03.6

    (B) Rules for determining adjusted maximum slaughter rates for two-inspector kills considering walking distance according to the table in this subdivision: Determine the distances the inspectors actually walk between the points shown in columns 2 through 9 of the following table. Column 9 is used only if the condemned brands and tags the viscera inspector uses are kept at a location other than at the washbasin-sterilizer. For each column, determine the deduction figure opposite the appropriate number of feet in column 1. Compute the total of the deduction figures for columns 2 through 9. Divide this total by 2. The adjusted maximum rate is the maximum rate in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section minus the number calculated above. If the resultant number is not a whole number, it must be rounded off to the next lowest whole number.

    Two-Inspector Cattle Kill - Viscera Truck

    [Table of deductions from maximum slaughter rates for each 2 feet between points (in tenths of cattle per hour)]

    Heads and low rail inspection Viscera and high rail inspection
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 91
    Number of feet between points Head rack and washbasin Head rack and carcasses2 Washbasin and low rail Head rack and low rail Viscera and brands tags (washbasin) Viscera and high rail High rail and washbasin Viscera and washbasin
    Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls Strs. Hfrs. Cows Bulls
    10000000000000000
    30.100.100.10000000000.10.2
    50.10.10.10.10.10.10.80.70.40.50.50.50.10.20.20.3
    70.10.20.10.10.10.11.51.40.70.91.00.90.30.30.30.4
    90.20.20.10.20.10.22.22.01.11.31.51.30.40.50.40.5
    110.20.30.10.20.20.22.82.71.41.71.91.80.50.60.40.6
    130.20.40.10.30.20.23.53.31.72.12.42.20.60.70.50.8
    150.30.40.10.30.20.34.13.92.02.52.92.60.70.90.60.9
    170.30.50.10.40.20.34.84.52.42.93.33.00.81.00.71.0
    190.30.60.20.40.30.45.45.12.73.33.73.40.91.20.71.2
    210.30.60.20.40.30.46.05.73.03.74.23.71.01.30.81.3
    230.40.70.20.50.30.56.66.33.34.04.64.11.21.40.91.4
    250.40.70.20.50.30.57.26.83.64.45.04.51.31.61.01.6
    270.40.80.20.60.40.57.87.43.94.75.44.91.41.71.01.7
    290.50.90.20.60.40.68.37.94.25.15.85.21.51.81.11.8
    310.50.90.20.70.40.68.98.54.55.46.25.61.62.01.22.0
    330.51.00.20.70.40.79.49.04.85.86.55.91.72.11.32.1
    350.61.10.30.80.50.710.09.55.06.16.96.31.82.21.32.3
    370.61.10.30.80.50.710.510.05.36.47.36.61.92.41.42.4
    390.61.20.30.90.50.811.010.55.66.87.66.92.02.51.52.5
    410.71.20.30.90.60.811.511.05.97.18.07.22.12.61.52.6
    430.71.30.30.90.60.912.011.46.17.48.37.62.22.81.62.8
    450.71.40.31.00.60.912.511.96.47.78.77.92.42.91.72.9
    470.81.40.31.00.61.013.012.46.78.09.08.22.53.01.83.0
    490.81.50.31.10.71.013.412.86.98.39.48.52.63.21.83.1
    510.81.60.31.10.71.013.913.37.28.69.78.82.73.31.93.3
    530.91.60.41.20.71.114.413.77.48.910.09.12.83.42.03.4
    550.91.70.41.20.71.114.814.17.79.210.39.42.93.52.03.5
    570.91.70.41.30.81.215.214.67.99.510.69.73.03.72.13.6
    590.91.80.41.30.81.215.715.08.29.710.99.93.13.82.23.8

    (ii) Inspection Using Viscera Table, Tongue-In Presentation of Heads.

    Steers and Heifers

    Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number of inspectors by stations
    Head Viscera Carcass
    1 to 32aaa
    33 to 58bbb
    59 to 84111
    85 to 86121
    87 to 143221
    144 to 171321
    172 to 198331
    199 to 226332
    227 to 253432
    254 to 280442
    281 to 306542
    307 to 333552

    Cows and Bulls

    Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number of inspectors by stations
    Head Viscera Carcass
    1 to 29aaa
    30 to 56bbb
    57 to 77111
    78 to 81121
    82 to 134221
    135 to 159231
    160 to 187331
    188 to 213341
    214 to 234342
    235 to 264442
    265 to 289542
    290 to 314552

    (iii) Inspection Using Viscera Table, Tongue-Out Presentation of Heads.

    Steers and Heifers

    Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number of inspectors by stations
    Head Viscera Carcass
    1 to 32aaa
    33 to 58bbb
    59 to 86111
    87 to 103121
    104 to 156221
    157 to 186231
    187 to 216331
    217 to 246332
    247 to 275342
    276 to 304442
    305 to 333452
    334 to 362552
    363 to 390562

    Cows and Bulls

    Maximum slaughter rates (head per hour) Number of inspectors by stations
    Head Viscera Carcass
    1 to 29aaa
    30 to 56bbb
    57 to 79111
    80 to 98121
    99 to 147221
    148 to 174231
    175 to 205331
    206 to 233341
    234 to 256342
    257 to 288442
    289 to 316542
    317 to 343552

    (3) Swine inspection. There are two systems of post-mortem inspection: The New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS), which may be used for market hogs, and the traditional inspection system, which may be used for all swine.

    (i) The NSIS may be used for market hogs if the official establishment requests to use it and meets or agrees to meet the requirements in 9 CFR 309.19 and § 310.26. The Administrator may permit establishments that slaughter classes of swine other than market hogs to use NSIS under a waiver from the provisions in 9 CFR 309.19 and § 310.26 as provided by 9 CFR 303.1(h). The Administrator also may permit establishments that slaughter both market hogs and other classes of swine to slaughter the market hogs under NSIS and slaughter the other classes of swine under traditional inspection.

    (ii) Traditional inspection shall be used for swine when NSIS is not used. The following inspection staffing standards are applicable to swine slaughter configurations operating under traditional inspection when NSIS is not used. The inspection standards for all slaughter lines are based upon the observation rather than palpation, at the viscera inspection station, of the spleen, liver, heart, lungs, and mediastinal lymph nodes. In addition, for one- and two-inspector lines under traditional inspection, the standards are based upon the distance walked (in feet) by the inspector between work stations; and for three or more inspector slaughter lines, upon the use of a mirror, as described in § 307.2(m)(6) of this chapter, at the carcass inspection station. Although not required in a one- or two-inspector slaughter configuration, except in certain cases as determined by the inspection service, if a mirror is used, it must comply with the requirements of § 307.2(m)(6).

    Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(3) - One Inspector - Staffing Standards for Swine

    Distance walked1 in feet is - Maximum inspection rates (head per hour)
    Market hogs
    (heads attached or detached)
    Sows and boars
    (heads detached)
    Without mirror With mirror Without mirror With mirror
    0 to 5140150131143
    6 to 10134144126137
    11 to 15129137122132
    16 to 20124132117127
    21 to 35120127113122
    26 to 30116122110118
    31 to 35112118106114
    36 to 40108114103110
    41 to 45105110100106
    46 to 5010110797103
    51 to 559810394100
    56 to 60961009197
    61 to 6593978994
    66 to 7090958792
    71 to 7588928589
    76 to 8086898287
    81 to 8584878085
    86 to 9082857983
    91 to 9580837781
    96 to 10078817579

    Table 2 to Paragraph (b)(3) - Two Inspectors - Staffing Standards for Market Hogs

    Distance walked1 in feet by inspector B is - Maximum inspection rates
    (head per hour with heads attached or detached)
    Line configuration
    Carcass,2 head viscera3 Viscera,2 head carcass3 Head,2 viscera carcass3
    Without Mirror
    0 to 5151-253151-271151-296
    6 to 10151-239151-255151-277
    11 to 15151-226151-240151-260
    16 to 20151-214151-227151-244
    21 to 25151-204151-215151-231
    With Mirror
    0 to 5151-253151-303151-318
    6 to 10151-239151-283151-304
    11 to 15151-226151-265151-289
    16 to 20151-214151-249151-270
    21 to 25151-204151-235151-254

    Table 3 to Paragraph (b)(3) - Two Inspectors - Staffing Standards for Sows and Boars

    Distance walked1 in feet by inspector B is - Maximum inspection rates
    (head per hour)
    Line Configuration
    Carcass,2 head viscera,3 heads detached Viscera,2 head carcass,3 heads detached Head,2 viscera carcass,3 heads detached Head,2 viscera carcass,3 heads attached
    Without Mirror
    0 to 5144-248144-254144-267144-267
    6 to 10144-235144-240144-253144-253
    11 to 15144-222144-227144-239144-239
    16 to 20144-211144-215144-226144-226
    21 to 25144-201144-205144-214144-214
    With Mirror
    0 to 5144-248144-292144-305144-292
    6 to 10144-235144-273144-291144-280
    11 to 15144-222144-256144-272144-268
    16 to 20144-211144-241144-255144-255
    21 to 25144-201144-228144-240144-240

    Table 4 to paragraph (b)(3) - Three Inspectors or More - Staffing Standards for Swine

    Maximum inspection rates
    (head per hour with heads attached)
    Number of inspectors by station
    Head Viscera Carcass Total
    Market hogs:
    319 to 5061113
    507 to 5401214
    541 to 8592215
    860 to 1,0222316
    1,023 to 1,1063317
    Sows and boars:
    306 to 4391113
    306 to 4621 1113
    440 to 4752114
    476 to 7522215
    753 to 8953216
    896 to 9643317

    [35 FR 15567, Oct. 3, 1970, as amended at 47 FR 33676, Aug. 4, 1982; 50 FR 19903, May 13, 1985; 84 FR 52346, Oct. 1, 2019]