Hide pulling Hide pulling is a critical stage in view of hygienic quality, because the carcass is transferred from the dirty side to the clean side. Most often, hide pulling is carried out with the help of a mechanical hide-pulling device. It is recommended for slaughterhouses to have a back-up device or a plan for acquiring a replacement device in case the machine breaks during slaughtering. The chains and control panel of the hide-pulling device must be kept clean. If necessary, the control panel can be protected with a disposable plastic bag, which can be replaced, or some other similar means of protection. The hide is detached without touching it by the hands. Staining of the carcass with blood is to be avoided. Cutting the hide off the neck with a knife reduces splashing of blood. The carcass and pulling outcome are monitored during hide pulling. If tissue from the carcass remains on the hide, the cutting technique needs to be revised. Tissue remaining on the hide may also result from poor quality cutting, in which case the hide pulling worker gives feedback to the cutting worker to correct the situation. During hide pulling, care must be taken to avoid possible dripping of blood or running of urine from a carcass being lifted up on top of carcasses waiting on skinning cradles. Mammary glands and male genitals are detached while the carcass hangs. This prevents the running of secretion on to the skinned carcass. The most opportune position for their removal is when the back legs are spread. The tag that is removed from the ear is washed and sterilised before it is attached to the carcass. Water splashes must be avoided. The tag can be attached with fingers or pliers, which must be kept clean during the whole slaughtering process. If the hands are protected by means of taping or cut-resistant gloves, a food-grade rubber glove must be worn on top. The hide is removed from the slaughter hall by placing it in the hide hatch immediately after hide pulling. The hide must be handled so that no dirt or loose hair falls off of it. Legs are placed neatly into containers or put outside of the slaughter line via hatches. The legs must not be thrown due to the risk of splashing. In work phases, which involve the use of a knife, the knife must be switched in the sterilizer to a clean one in between every work phase. Hide pulling is the last work phase on the dirty side. The bare carcass is not touched by the hands, it is to be moved with the help of the carcass hook.
Slaughter of reindeer in Finland
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