• Français
Find Your Local Union
Subscribe to E-news
 
Login
Scholarships
Contact

UFCW Canada - Union Logo

Canada's Private Sector Union

  • About Our Union
  • Media & News
  • Resources
  • Issues
  • Action Centre
  • Join the Union

Antimicrobial Resistance

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial Resistance happens when bacteria change and become resistant to medications used to treat the infections they cause. In many cases antibiotics are over prescribed and the bacteria evolve and mutate into superbugs that can cause untreatable infections in people. This compromises the ability of medications including antibiotics to treat infectious diseases.

Antibiotics are also used in the raising of animals for food to promote growth, and this is of great concern. The misuse and overuse of these antibiotics in the raising of animal for food results in drug resistant bacteria that is present in the food chain from farm to table. Workers on farms and slaughter houses are at higher risk of exposure.

Meat and poultry processing workers can be at risk of contracting antimicrobial resistant disease through handling infected carcasses, work tools and raw meat products. The risk of contracting resistant bacteria increases if the worker has an open cut or wound as the disease carrying the resistant microbes can only enter the body through broken skin. Infected workers may carry these dangerous microbes home to family and community.

  • Over 750,000 people die every year from being infected with bacteria that is resistant to medication including antibiotics.

  • If left unattended, drug resistant bacteria may evolve into one of the most significant public health challenges worldwide with an expected 10 million people dying every year by 2050.

The best way to protect workers is to remove or eliminate the hazard from the workplace.

Antimicrobial Resistance - Flyer (PDF)
Antimicrobial Resistance - Poster (PDF)

What can policy makers do to address antimicrobial resistance?

  • Ensure we have a robust National Action Plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance

  • Ensure that antibiotics given to animals for food producing animals are only used to control or treat infectious disease

  • Promote the adoption of sustainable systems with improved hygiene, biosecurity, and stress-free handling of animals

What can employers do to protect workers from antimicrobial resistance?

  • Slow line speeds to reduce the number of lacerations to workers

  • Ensure work surfaces and tools are free of contaminated matter

  • Provide workers with adequate hand washing stations which includes soap and disinfectants

  • Administer first aid to lacerations immediately

What can I do to avoid antibiotic resistant illnesses and bacteria? 

  • Prevent infections by regularly washing your hands, avoiding close contact with sick people and keeping vaccinations up to date

  • Only use prescribed antibiotics and always take the full prescription, even if you feel better

  • Prevent infections by ensuring your hands, instruments and environment are clean

Click here for more information AMR from the IUF

  • Join the Union
  • About Our Union
    • About Our Union
      • Find Your Local Union
      • National President
      • National Council
      • Constitution
      • Union History
      • UFCW Canada Annual Report
      • Brand Guidelines
      • Join UFCW Canada
  • Media & News
    • Media & News
      • News
      • Media
      • Subscribe to E-news
  • Resources
    • Resources
      • Stand for Canada, Shop UFCW-made
      • The National Defence Fund
      • Migrant Members
      • Union Training & Scholarships
      • Member Discounts
      • Health & Safety
      • UFCW Canada Equity Grant Program
  • Issues
    • Issues
      • Leukemia Fundraising
      • Political Action
      • Women and Gender Equity
      • Social Justice
      • The Union for Agriculture Workers
      • UFCW Pride – Union Pride!
      • Young Workers
      • Food Justice
      • Global Solidarity
      • Uber Drivers United
      • Conscious Cannabis
  • Action Centre
    • Action Centre
      • Affordability for All
      • Violence is not part of the job: Respect Frontline Workers!
      • Make Truth and Reconciliation a paid day of recognition and remembrance
      • Paid Sick Days Now!
      • Migrant workers deserve permanent residency
      • End the Heritage Inn Lockout Now
  • Join the Union
    • Join the Union
      • Why UFCW Canada
      • Union Advantage
      • Union Facts
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Everything About Unions
      • Industries We Represent
      • Workplaces We Represent
      • How to Join a Union
      • Join Now

Login

FacebookXYoutube2Instagram

Copyright © 2025 UFCW Canada. All Rights Reserved
United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Canada's private sector union