Safety First Batman

As a veterinarian, I’ve been working with farmers for more than 25 years.  And I can tell you being a farmer and raising animals like pigs and cattle for a living is a dangerous occupation.  I’ve seen what I consider to be more than my share of broken bones, cuts, sprains and concussions.  I’ve had plenty of near misses myself – 4 legged mothers of all varieties are very territorial and protective – but thankfully nothing too severe.

Injuries aren’t the only hazard, though.  Pig barns can be very noisy places.  Dust can be bad especially during a dry summer with dirt lots or old barns.  We also have to take into account the environmental footprint of pig operations as public health is as important as personal health – a producer and his family usually live on the farm very close to the pigs they are caring for.

All of these things are the reasons that the National Pork Board funds a variety of research and educational programs focusing on personal and public health.  Model emergency action plans – what to do in case of a fire, tornado, flood or other disaster; correctly using personal protective devices – ear plugs, aerosol masks, gloves; application plans for putting manure back into the land – used as a fertilizer for crops but only so much should go on different types of soils; and animal handling programs – teaching people how to move animals safely both for the person and the animal – are just a few examples of what we’re doing.  WHY? So the people that work with their pigs can do so safely and responsibly and continue to do so for as long as they want.  The most important resource that pork production has is the people that work in it.  They are dedicated to doing the right thing for their animals, their families and their communities.  And the National Pork Board is dedicated to helping them do it.

- Dr. Paul Sundberg