The Tennessee Employee Injury Benefit Alternative triggers questions about how it would affect workplace safety.

A strike by nearly 7,000 workers at 15 petroleum refineries coupled with a recent explosion at a Torrance, California, plant that injured four workers highlight safety issues inherent to the industry.

Unlike many other manufacturing processes, food processing does not always lend itself well to automation.

Backers hope Tennessee becomes the third state to allow employers to opt out of the state’s workers compensation system, but experts expect most employers would stay in the system to realize savings from recent reforms.

Illinois and Wisconsin are expected to lead the way in state legislation proposed in 2015 to reduce workers compensation system costs, though sweeping comp reforms are not expected in most states this year.

The worker safety record in the food processing business has long lagged other sectors, but advances in ergonomics and automation are helping close the gap.