DOWN ON THE FARMWORKING SAFELY WITH LIVESTOCK

Learning Objectives

• Understand of the injuries related to livestock• Recognize animal behavior traits and

characteristics • Recognize the warning signs of an irritated

animals• Explain the appropriate way to approach livestock• Understand proper care of livestock• Identify safety precautions

Livestock- Related Injuries

• 33% of injuries on the farm are caused by animals• Injuries occur from:

– Bites– Kicked– Knocked down– Crush– Drugged by

• Livestock farms– 11.9 per 1,000 youth

• Grain farms– 8.4 per 1,000 youth

Injury and Fatality Causes

• 3 categories – Animal caused– Facility caused– People caused

Animal Behavior Traits

• Maternal– Females try to protect their

young from danger– Parental

• Territorial– Develop a sense of “home”

• Sensitive to noise • Unpredictable

– Shadows, yelling, lighting– Sick, hungry, scared, tired

Livestock Characteristics

• Livestock: – Tend to follow a leader when being moved– Become acclimated to particular locations, sights, smells,

and sounds– Have a zone of comfort which they will behave ‘normally’ in – Have poor depth perception and cannot see behind them.– Turn to keep you within their sight

Approaching Livestock

Source: ProWay Livestock Equipment- http://www.proway.com.au/CustomDesignService/UnderstandingFlightZonesandPointofBalance.html

Moving Herd Livestock

• Using the Point of balance – Standing BEHIND, moves animal

FORWARD– Standing in FRONT, moves animal

BACK• Stay out of blind spot

– Never walk directly behind• Completely tame animals

– Leading may work– Move as a group

Caring for Livestock

• Transmitting diseases• Proper facilities for

treatment• Never do anything that will

add unnecessary stress to you or the animal

• ALWAYS USE PROPER HYGIENE

Facility Conditions

• House-keeping– Debris free

• Well lighted areas• Slip-resistant flooring• Emergency exit route

– Man gate

• Keep facilities in repair• Properly designed treatment

stalls or equipment

People Caused

• Lack of judgment• Need to hurry• Anger or frustration• Prodding with no place to go• Horseplay• Looping straps around hand• Not enough help• Not wearing PPE

Precautions To Take

• Understand the species and breed • Approach livestock from the side (point of balance)• Approach livestock calmly and slowly• Never walk directly behind animal• Plan for an escape route when working with

livestock• Good working equipment/ facilities • Wear steel-toed, nonskid shoes, gloves, long pants,

long sleeves

References:

• Beef cattle handling safety. (2012) Farm and Ranch eXtension in Safety and Health (FReSH) Community of Practice. Retrieved from http://www.extension.org/pages/63135/beef-cattle-handling-safety

• http://extension.psu.edu/business/ag-safety/animal-safety

• Working Safely with Livestock- OSU factsheet AEX-990-08

• http://www.grandin.com/behaviour/principles/flight.zone.html

For More Information

OSU Ag Safety & Health

The Ohio State University

Ag Engineering Building

590 Woody Hayes Drive

Columbus, Ohio 43210-1057

Email: jepsen.4@osu.edu

Phone: 614-292-6008

Website: agsafety.osu.edu

This project was supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food

and Agriculture (NIFA) Rural Health and Safety Education Grant

Program- grant number 2012-46100-20144.