Occupational Safety & Health (OSH)

  • Leptospirosis is regarded by OSH as a significant hazard and the risk management plan provided by Leptosure is recognised as meeting the requirements of the legislation.
  • The main motivation for a farmer to be involved with Leptosure is that the programme gives them (and any other parties they deal with on farm) confidence that the risk of Leptospirosis is being managed to an agreed industry standard.
  • The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 is very specific about the role of the employer in protecting their staff from significant hazards. In particular the Act says:

Identification of Hazards

1. Every employer shall ensure that there are in place effective methods for
a. Systematically identifying existing hazards to employees at work; and
b. Systematically identifying (if possible before, and otherwise as, they arise) new hazards to employees at work; and
c. Regularly assessing each hazard identified, and determining whether or not it is a significant hazard.

  • Para 1 (c) above is particularly relevant as it ensures that such a plan is regularly reviewed. This provides justification for an annual re assessment of Leptosure status.

Occupational Safety and Health Publications

  • Guidelines for the Control of Occupationally Acquired Leptospirosis (June 2001)
  • A Guide to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (Second Edition revised to include the Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Act 2002 - also links to a copy of the consolidated HSE Act)

Health Statistics