Government inspectors stopped production at 10 abattoirs and meat processing plants for a time last year because conditions for staff who clean the machines were so unsafe.

In total, social affairs ministry inspectors identified 488 instances where abattoir and meat plant cleaning staff were exposed to risk. Problems were found at 90% of the country’s 217 slaughterhouses and meat processing factories, the inspectors said in a new report.

Meat industry cleaners are exposed to two serious health risks: dangerous machinery and infectious diseases. In addition, in some cases machinery is not properly switched off and they risk electrocution, the ministry inspectors said.

Slaughterhouses and chicken processing plants offer most risk of infection, the inspectors said.