Managing biosecurity training

Larger farms may have a person designated to complete biosecurity training for new employees. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the biosecurity coordinator to ensure this is done in order to maintain compliance with NPIP Biosecurity Principles. 

Who needs training?

Individuals that frequently enter the perimeter buffer area (PBA), need to receive documented training once a year, at minimum. New employees are to be trained at hire with respective training documentation. 

Record keeping

You can document training in a variety of approaches including completion sheets, training logs, training completion certificates, or other equivalent record. All training records need to be retained for a minimum of 3 years. You can learn more about requirements for retaining records in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 9- CFR §145.12(b) (pg 894) and 146.11(e) (pg 950).

Your training materials should be easily accessible and cover site-specific as well as company or complex-wide specific procedures as necessary. These materials should indicate standard operating procedures for any individuals, vehicles, or equipment entering the PBA or line of separation.

Consider the protocol for individuals entering the PBA and crossing the line of separation.

• Do they arrive showered with clean clothes and disinfected shoes?

• Do they need to wear barn or site-specific clothing that do not leave the premises?

• What is your protocol for on-site vehicles? And nonfarm vehicles?

• What disinfectant measures do you require for vehicles entering the PBA?

• Where do you require employees to park outside the PBA?

Each standard operating procedure on your farm should be readily available and efficiently communicated to your employees, service or utility providers, transporters, and visitors.