A comparative study of the theoretical and actual methods of establishing standard times for crab processing

Abstract

Snow Crab processing is a labor intensive industry in Atlantic Canada having a comparatively short history. The present industry practices in Newfoundland for the catching, transportation and processing of crab are described with details also provided on the early years of industry development. -- Time Study and Methods, Time, Measurement techniques of work measurement were used in two Snow Crab processing plants: Ocean Harvesters Ltd., Ship Cove and Beothic Fish Processors Ltd., Valleyfield. Some of the processing operations in each plant were studied and the similarities and differences in each are discussed. Normal and standard times and output performances for the operations studied were calculated and compared using both work measurement systems. -- An example of a wage incentive system is proposed which is based on the use of work measurement techniques. Also, recommendations are made for the increased mechanization of processing techniques and improvements suggested for processing problems.