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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of zoonoses in the meat processing industry
Level / 2 / Credits / 3
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to, in the meat processing industry, describe the transmission of zoonotic organisms and signs of human infection; and the measures used to prevent infection of and report zoonotic diseases.
This unit standard is for people who are employed in the meat processing industry and who are required to complete tasks that pose a risk of infection of disease through processing animal products.
Classification / Meat Processing > Meat Industry Generic
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to – Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Biosecurity Act 1993, Animal Welfare Act 1999, Food Act 1981.
2Resource documents include but are not limited to – ACC4712 Common Illnesses in the meat industry, available from the website of Accident Compensation Commission at
3Definitions
Zoonoses– in this unit standard refer to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans excluding poultry.
Organisational – instructions to staff on policy and procedures which are documented in memo, electronic or manual format and are available in the workplace.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the transmission of zoonotic organisms and signs of human infection in the meat processing industry.
Evidence requirements
1.1Zoonotic diseases are described in terms of animal species processed within the meat processing industry.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – brucellosis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, campylobacter, orf, spongiform encephalopathies, scrapie, trichinellosis.
1.2Passage of disease between animals and humans is described in terms of modes of transmission.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – faecal matter, urine, blood, dust, intestinal tract fluids/contents, skin, wool, water, muscle tissue.
1.3Signs of human infection are identified in terms of zoonotic diseases of animal species processed in the meat processing industry.
Rangesigns of human infection may include but is not limited to – headaches, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, chills, joint pain, depression, coughs, skin lesions, jaundice, eye irritation, muscular pain, flu like symptoms.
Zoonotic diseases may include but is not limited to – brucellosis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, campylobacter, orf, spongiform encephalopathies, scrapie, trichinellosis.
1.4Meat processing steps are described in terms of risk of infection with zoonotic diseases.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – slaughter, opening and clearing, evisceration.
Outcome 2
Describe the measures used to prevent infection of and report zoonotic diseases in the meat processing industry.
Evidence requirements
2.1Prevention of infection is described in terms of organisational and legislative requirements.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – protective clothing and equipment, personal hygiene, pest control.
2.2Procedure for reporting a suspected zoonotic disease is described in accordance with organisational requirements.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 21 August 2009 / 31 December 2016
Review / 2 / 27 January 2015 / 31 December 2016
Rollover / 3 / 17 September 2015 / 31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0033
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut