These rooms are extremely cold to prevent meat from spoiling. The rooms are occasionally humid and damp. Meat cutters are occasionally exposed to bad odors and poor ventilation. The temperature, standing all day, and physical exertion used in cutting make this a tiring job. In markets, butchers and fish cleaners often work in a small space behind the meat counter.
Meat cutting is a dangerous job.
Cuts from knives are common. Being near the moving mechanical parts of tools, equipment, and power cutting machines can cause major cuts and even amputations. Thus meat cutters and butchers must pay attention to their work. Slips and falls from the damp floors are also common. Repeated slicing and lifting can lead to injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.