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WHY DO CERTAIN ATTITUDES EXIST?

Even though people may be well aware of leptospirosis and the human cost of having it - particularly as it lasts for 6 - 12 months, there are still difficulties in convincing people to take all the safety precautions. It was stated "Some see it as similar to smoking - people are aware of the possible consequences but still choose to smoke".

There is a need for good education programmes which needs to be realistic, related to the pressure of work and throughput, and the limitation of resources, which in many situation means that shortcuts have to be taken. With only the occasional occurrence of leptospirosis (maybe one case every 3 or 4 years) in a meat processing plant, it is understandable that attention can sometimes be given to other more immediate matters.

Good data from the seroconversion study of meat processing workers will help to show how big the problem is and thus how serious it is. Unions need to work in partnership with management and come up with ideas for control, taking seriously the need to comply with agreed policies, and encouraging employees of the necessity to take care (as required by S 19 of the Act).

There are a number of information gaps in the meat works situation:

• There are questions about the necessary knowledge as to how to tackle the problem;
• What are the health and safety requirements?
• What are the employment matters?

The recommended action is to identify sections of the Guidelines which need amendment and generate an updated version will address these issues.

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