Human Health
Assessing Worker Health in the Pork Industry
Publish Date: April 30, 2012
Worker health is an important concept for the pork industry. Not only should worker health be assessed during employment, but before employment as well. Pre-employment physicals can help pork producers match a potential employee with a specific job in the operation. In addition, pre-employment physicals should be part of an overall occupational medicine and health promotion program. Worker health should also be assessed periodically for active employees. This may include hearing tests and measurement of respiratory function.
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Publish Date: April 5, 2012
Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) are microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Swine pathogens are NOT defined as BBP – even those that are zoonotic (can be transmitted to humans). Pork producers are not required to comply with OSHA Bloodborne pathogens standard (also known as 1910.1030). However, pork producers should be aware of BBP because workers may be exposed to human blood or in the event of an injury.
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Antibacterial Resistance and Antibiotic Use in Animals
Publish Date: June 3, 2006
There is currently increased scientific and public interest regarding the administration of therapeutic and subtherapeutic antimicrobials to animals, due primarily to the emergence and dissemination of multiple antimicrobial resistant zoonotic bacterial pathogens9,14. The recent isolation and detection of multi-drug resistant enterococci, Campylobacter and Salmonella typhimurium DT104 from animal sources or their immediate environment has recharged this debate1,8,9,13,14. Regardless it is clear that the use of antimicrobials (therapeutic and sub-therapeutic) in both animals and humans select for resistant bacterial populations. The question then becomes “are the populations of resistant bacteria observed in animals and humans independent or do they share a common pool with antimicrobial resistant bacteria in animals posing a threat to human health?”1,8.
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