Kicked, Bitten, Crushed: New Strategies to Prevent Livestock Handling Injuries on Farms

Working with livestock is an integral part of agriculture, but it’s also fraught with risks. Every year, countless farmworkers sustain injuries from animal interactions, ranging from minor bites and bruises to severe crushing injuries and even fatalities. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2021-22, 5,032 hospitalisations were due to livestock related injuries. Understanding these risks and implementing effective prevention strategies is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

This blog post will explore the common causes of livestock handling injuries and outline new strategies to minimize these risks, creating a safer environment for both humans and animals.

Understanding the Risks: Common Livestock Handling Injuries

Livestock, by their very nature, can be unpredictable. Their behavior is influenced by various factors, including their breed, temperament, handling history, and current environment. When animals feel threatened, stressed, or agitated, they may react defensively, leading to injuries. Some of the most common types of livestock handling injuries include:

Kicks: A kick from a large animal like a cow or horse can cause significant trauma, resulting in broken bones, internal injuries, and head trauma.
Bites: Bites can cause lacerations, infections, and even the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Crushing Injuries: Being pinned against a solid surface by a large animal can lead to severe crush injuries, affecting bones, muscles, and internal organs. Tractor rollovers or machinery accidents can also lead to crush injuries.
Trampling: Large animals can easily trample workers, especially in crowded or stressful situations, leading to broken bones and internal injuries.
Musculoskeletal Injuries: Repetitive tasks such as lifting heavy objects, bending, and crouching can cause sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal injuries.
Zoonotic Diseases: Livestock can transmit diseases to humans through direct contact, bites, or exposure to contaminated environments.

New Strategies for Preventing Livestock Handling Injuries

While the risks associated with livestock handling are undeniable, many injuries can be prevented by implementing proactive safety measures. Here are some new strategies to consider:

Comprehensive Training and Education:
- Animal Behavior: Workers should be trained to understand the typical behaviors of the specific livestock they are working with, including recognizing warning signs of aggression or fear, such as showing of teeth, ears laid back, raised hair, snorting, or stomping of feet.
- Safe Handling Techniques: Training should cover low-stress handling techniques, proper restraint methods, and how to respond appropriately in various situations.
- Emergency Procedures: Workers should be trained on what to do in case of an emergency, including how to escape from a dangerous situation and how to provide first aid.
- Facility Design and Maintenance:
- Well-Designed Handling Facilities: Invest in well-designed handling facilities that minimize stress on animals and provide a safe working environment for handlers. Facilities should include:
  - Securely fenced fields and good holding pens.
  - A suitable cattle crush and sculling gate.
  - Calving facilities with a calving gate and head restraint.
  - A well-designed bull pen that allows for feeding and bedding without entering the pen.
- Safe Environment:
  - Minimize uneven walking surfaces.
  - Ensure flooring allows for drainage and has grooved high-traffic areas.
  - Ensure fences and gates are strong enough to contain crowded livestock.
  - Alleys and chutes should be wide enough for animals to pass but not wide enough to allow them to turn.
  - Provide proper ventilation and even, diffused lighting.
- Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain facilities to prevent accidents and injuries. Remove sharp, protruding objects and keep handling areas free of debris to reduce the chance of slips and falls.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Appropriate Clothing: Workers should wear appropriate clothing, including long sleeves, gloves, and protective footwear with good traction.
- Head and Eye Protection: Head and eye protection should be worn when handling livestock, especially when working with potentially aggressive animals.
- Low-Stress Handling Techniques:
- Establish a Routine: Livestock respond well to routine, so establish a consistent handling schedule.
- Move Slowly and Deliberately: Avoid quick movements and loud noises that may startle animals.
- Respect Flight Zones: Be aware of each animal’s “flight zone” and avoid entering it unnecessarily.
- Gentle Touch: Touch animals gently rather than shoving or bumping them.
- Biosecurity and Hygiene:
- Minimize Spread of Germs:
  - Manage housing, nutrition, and stress.
  - Keep up-to-date with vaccinations and deworming.
  - Practice good biosecurity.
  - Remove manure and dead animals in a timely manner.
  - Wash your hands often.
  - Wear the appropriate personal protective clothing.
  - Clean and disinfect equipment.
- Zoonotic Disease Prevention: Take preventive measures to limit the transmission of diseases from livestock to humans, such as maintaining clean and well-ventilated animal facilities, testing and immunizing livestock, and using sanitary practices when handling animals and their products.
- Risk Assessment and Management:
- Identify Hazards: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with livestock handling.
- Implement Control Measures: Implement control measures to minimize or eliminate identified risks.
- Review and Update: Regularly review and update risk assessments and control measures to ensure their effectiveness.
- Workplace Culture:
- Promote Safety Awareness: Foster a workplace culture that prioritizes safety and encourages workers to report hazards and near misses.
- Open Communication: Encourage open communication between workers and management regarding safety concerns.
- Teamwork: Encourage teamwork and ensure that workers are not working alone in potentially dangerous situations.

Legal Considerations

When livestock injure people, legal liabilities may arise. Understanding the legal aspects of livestock injuries is crucial for farm owners and operators.

Negligence: A livestock owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their animals if they fail to exercise reasonable care in controlling the animal or preventing the harm.
Strict Liability: In some cases, a livestock owner may be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their animals, regardless of negligence. This typically applies to animals with known dangerous propensities.
Premises Liability: Farm owners have a duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors and workers. Failure to do so can result in liability for injuries caused by livestock.

To mitigate legal risks, livestock owners should:

Carry adequate liability insurance.
Post warning signs about potentially dangerous animals.
Implement safety protocols to protect visitors and workers.
Maintain records of animal behavior and any incidents involving injuries.

Seeking Legal Guidance

If you or someone you know has been injured while handling livestock, it’s essential to seek legal guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney. A qualified attorney can help you understand your rights and options and pursue compensation for your injuries.

Conclusion

Preventing livestock handling injuries requires a multifaceted approach that includes comprehensive training, well-designed facilities, appropriate PPE, low-stress handling techniques, and a strong commitment to safety. By implementing these strategies, farmers and ranchers can create a safer working environment for themselves and their employees, reducing the risk of injuries and promoting the well-being of both humans and animals.