Occupational safety, animal welfare and ethics
Domain 9 – Occupational safety, animal welfare and ethics
The exam tests zoonosis awareness, PPE, safe handling, and the five freedoms in a small-farm context.
Core rules
- Zoonoses: salmonellosis, avian influenza, Newcastle disease (conjunctivitis in humans) and campylobacter. Wash hands after handling birds, wear gloves and masks during cleaning, and never eat sick birds.
- PPE and hygiene: boots, gloves, mask, apron; footbath; separate clothes for the shed; safe disposal of needles and broken glass.
- Welfare: five freedoms - from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain/injury/disease, fear and distress, and freedom to express normal behaviour. Provide space, perches, nest boxes, shade, clean water and gentle handling.
- Ethics: humane culling, no unnecessary suffering, honest labelling, and responsible antibiotic use.
Worked example
A worker finds a bird with a swollen face and laboured breathing. The safe response is to isolate the bird, wear gloves and a mask, avoid close contact, and call the veterinary officer. Do not sell or slaughter it for home consumption. If culling is advised, use a humane method and disinfect the area. This protects the worker, the flock and consumers.
Traps
- Handling sick birds without gloves and then eating without washing hands.
- Overcrowding and calling it “welfare-friendly” because birds are outside.
- Using antibiotics as a substitute for hygiene.
- Transporting birds in crowded, uncovered baskets in the sun.
Key points
- Wear gloves, mask and boots when handling sick birds or cleaning sheds.
- Wash hands after contact; never eat sick birds.
- Apply the five freedoms: food, water, comfort, health, and normal behaviour.
- Use humane culling and responsible antibiotic practices.
- Protect workers from zoonoses and physical hazards.