How Farm Workers Learn to Use and Practice Biosecurity

Biosecurity is any practices, policies, or procedures employed on a farm to prevent and/or control disease entering a farm, or moving around a farm. Using Grounded Theory methodology, the study reported here investigated biosecurity use among workers at finfish recirculation aquaculture facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Farm workers learned to use and continually practice biosecurity through a three-phase, step-wise process of orientation, routine, and thoughtful approach. Certain elements in the work environment and different characteristics of the individual worker influenced the worker's practice of biosecurity on a farm. The findings are relevant to biosecurity practice in all livestock-farming industries.