A PRELIMINARY RESEARCH ON AWARENESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SLAUGHTERING LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY AMONG ABATTOIR OPERATORS

Abstract

The necessary food-animal issues with zoonoses in general and food-borne diseases (FBD) in special are to be discovered. It is to be more valuable not only for both health and safety but also for the prevention of animal cruelty. Discovering the awareness of abattoir operators for the best methods with ethics of slaughtering livestock and poultry (SLP) will help to obtain most qualified meat and chicken. The preliminary findings will be value-added to guide for the prevention of diseases and injuries among abattoir operators. Insufficient knowledge and training for health and safety in SLP can result in the hazards of FBD and injuries among abattoir workers. Animal cruelty in SLP is also to be avoided for the welfare of animals before and during slaughter. This study aims to collect the available sources for providing a proper guideline to operators in SLP after discovering the awareness level among abattoir operators towards a code of practice in SLP. The research is a type of combination of qualitative and quantitative literature review. Issues related to health and safety of slaughterhouse workers were explored by focusing on the potential risk of FBD, and occupational injuries. Providing the necessary information and highlighting standard operation procedures among abattoir operators can be prevented systematically from the causes of injuries and the danger of diseases. Musculoskeletal disorders, upper limb and back pain, and FBD as well as risks from exposure to noise and cleaning chemicals or other substances hazardous to health, are to be concerned for health and safety precaution in SLP. Abattoir workers are at risks for contracting certain zoonoses such as leptospirosis, and they are required for developing control measures. It is hoped that the information obtained from this study would be beneficial as well as serve to eliminate some misconceptions of Islam from members of other religions.