Egg and Poultry Workers Safety Picture This

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Personnel working in the poultry industry are permanently exposed to hazards. These have either a physical, chemical, or biological nature.

Many studies have shown that poultry farmers have a greater risk of respiratory problems than non-farmers. A study showed that North Carolina poultry farm workers experienced more chronic phlegm and wheezing than non-farm workers. Another study of 22 North Carolina poultry farms showed that poultry growers and catchers were exposed to high levels of dust and ammonia.

Organic dust is the most common respiratory contaminant. Organic dust is a combination of dusts with bacteria or fungi (fungal spores).

Exposure to dusts and gases results in responses in the respiratory system. These responses vary from one person to another and may affect any part of the system. Potential responses include acute or chronic bronchitis (the most common reaction), increased airways reactivity, asthma, and chronic airway obstruction.

Zoonotic diseases are transmitted from animals to humans and include bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases. Salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, chlamydiosis, tuberculosis, Newcastle Disease, and avian influenza are amongst the most common zoonotic diseases transmitted from poultry to humans. Poultry workers are at a greater risk of being affected by these diseases.

Proper management is needed to avoid accidents and to keep the staff motivated. In all cases, however, safety comes first. Always wear your personal protecting equipment (PPE) to prevent poultry hazards!