FACTS

Common Accidents Associated with Handling Livestock:

1. Handlers may get kicked or trampled by livestock when standing too close or approaching them abruptly.
2. Animals like pigs and goats can bite or scratch handlers when threatened or agitated.
3. Being caught between a moving animal and a solid object, like a wall or gate, can lead to crush injuries.
4. Animals with horns, such as bulls or rams, may gore handlers, leading to severe injuries.
5. Uneven or slippery surfaces in livestock areas can cause handlers to slip, trip, or fall.
6. Mishandling animals during medical procedures can result in injuries to the animals and handlers.
7. Handlers may contract zoonotic diseases from contact with infected livestock, leading to illnesses.
8. Handling pregnant animals can be risky, as they may become protective and aggressive.
9. Working in hot weather conditions without proper precautions can result in heat-related illnesses.
10. Faulty or misused equipment, such as chutes or handling tools, can cause accidents and injuries.
11. Handlers may receive electric shocks when using electric fences or prods if not used appropriately.
12. Working with hay, straw, or other allergens can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.
13. Falling objects, such as heavy equipment or feed bags, can cause injuries to workers in livestock areas.

STATS

• The number of animal handlers is not exactly known, but tens of thousands of people are exposed daily to farm animals. A recent survey estimated that there were at least 54,000 workers in swine and poultry establishments in the United States (Gray et al., 2007).  Agriculture and livestock industries employed over 251,800 Canadians in 2021.
• In terms of operations in which workers were injured, 45.7% involved livestock handling. When looking at restricted workdays by the source of injury, livestock was responsible for the largest percentage (34.9%), followed by machinery.
• 40 deaths per year occur, and 27 of these affect farmers. Of 144 deaths obtained using the US Department of Labor (US DOL) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), there were 22 transportation fatalities involving animals.
• Of the 122 non-transportation deaths, 68 were due to cattle 41 from horses, and 13 from other animals.
• Bulls caused 54% of the cattle related deaths.
• Of workers that were farmers, cattle caused 54 deaths, and horses caused 27 deaths.
• Of the deaths from cattle, 40% were due to multiorgan trauma, 35% trauma to trunk and chest, and 18% from head trauma.
• Over the past two decades, 374 fatal farm injuries happened to children in Canada.