The guidelines provide practical suggestions for management of the workplace health hazard presented by the bacteria which can cause leptospirosis in humans.

Because leptospirosis is a serious illness and potentially fatal, it is a 'significant hazard' as defined by the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

There is a responsibility on employers and o her people in control of a workplace to take all practicable steps to prevent workers suffering 'serious harm'. This document is designed to assist people who have this responsibility.

Also available an A3 poster - Lepto Targets You

Table of Contents

Foreword: working together to manage health hazards
Using these guidelines

Part A: About Leptospirosis

What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis in new zealand
The leptospire and what it likes
Workers at risk of being infected with leptospirosis
Trends in infection with leptospirosis
How humans are exposed to leptospirosis
How Leptospirosis affects your health
Symptoms of leptospirosis
Treatment of leptospirosis in humans
Veterinary information on leptospirosis
Treatment and protection of animals:getting value from a vaccination programme

Part B: Leptospirosis and the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992

A duty to prevent harm

Part C: Managing and controlling Leptospirosis

Risk factors associated with leptospirosis
The dairy farm: management to minimise the hazard
The beef farm: management to minimise the hazard
The pig farm: management to minimise the hazard
Other groups at risk in rural areas
Managing and controlling leptospirosis in the meat processing industry

Part D: Appendices

Appendix 1: Excerpts from the guide to the Health and Ssafety in Employment Act 1992
Appendix 2: Contacts for further information
Appendix 3: Health and safety contacts in OSH
Appendix 4: Information for the GP
Appendix 5: Requirements for sample analysis for leptospirosis
Appendix 6: Summary of veterinary effects of leptospirosis

Case studies

The farmer who chose not to vaccinate his herd
Workers on farms where unvaccinated stock were introduced
The man who lost four years of his life
The man who wiped his mouth on a dirty towel
The man dropped in an effluent pond as a joke
The woman who wore sandals while feeding the pigs
The man who was clearing drains
The woman who contracted ballum while gardening
'Covered in shit from morning to night' - the pig slaughterman
The sheep cod slaughterman sprayed with urine
The mutton slaughterman infected by two serovars