Health and safety issues in hog production: A review of the literature

The industrialization of pork production is a gradual process. While operators are focused increasingly on production which is efficient and of high quality they must also be aware of the potential costs to their employees. The use of confinement facilities exposes workers to health and safety risks, which in turn may increase operating cost through increased health care and insurance costs. In order to protect employees, the employer needs knowledge about these risks, their impact on the operation, and methods of preventing injuries and illnesses. As operations grow in terms of the numbers of individuals employed, they must also be aware and compliant with state and federal health and safety regulations.