Sig International, Iowa, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.1

At approximately 0715 hours, while performing HATS Category II, Truck Unloading, with Dr. REDACTED, Front Line Supervisor I observed the following noncompliance. I was watching them unload hogs off a truck when I observed a hog step into a hole approximately 4 inches long and 4 inches wide between the ramp and the truck rubber bump pad. The hog did not move until stimulated by REDACTED the barn employee with a rattle paddle. The hog pulled his left rear leg out of the hole and no cuts, abrasions, or external visible injuries were observed. I took a verbal RCA (regulatory control action) rejecting use of the offloading ramp directing barn employee REDACTED to stop offloading the truck and informed him of what I had observed. I informed REDACTED that the hole and gap between the ramp and the truck must be addressed prior to any more hogs being unloaded as it could cause harm to the animals. The driver went and repositioned the truck. The repositioning of the truck reduced the size of the hole between he back rubber bumper of the truck and the ramp. A gap approximately 8 inches long and 7 inches wide, however, was still present that could affect a hog while unloading. Access to the hole was due to a gap between the side wall of the unloading ramp and the exit of livestock trailer which provided access to the hole. The barn employee REDACTED then called the maintenance man REDACTED over and he tied a temporary board over the gap between the ramp side and the truck exit door to keep the hogs from slipping into the area where the hole was. He notified me that he would leave the temporary fix in place until he can put something permanent up. I informed the plant supervisor Mr. REDACTED of my observations and the forthcoming noncompliance. At approximately 0740 I took a verbal RCA releasing the truck unloading ramp for use and they resumed unloading the hogs off the truck.