Accident Prevention in the Cowshed

Abstract

Work accidents were studied at two agricultural settlements in the Haifa area. Most of the accidents were caused by farm animals, particularly by cattle, a fact which is in agreement with a general statistical survey conducted by the Department for Occupational Health of the General Federation of Labour in Israel. However, in the present investigation it was found that the accident rate in cowsheds was more than I0 times higher among the members of a co-operative smallholders' village (Moshav Ovdim) than it was at a collective settlement (Moshav Shetufi) of the same numerical size, Searching for the basic factors involved, it was discovered that the main reason for this striking difference in accident frequency was the faulty design of the small cowshed at the individual farms of the co-operative settlement, which, lacking adequate protective measures, exposes the farmer to close contact with the animals throughout almost all stages of dealing with them.

Worker Injuries Involving the Interaction of Cattle, Cattle Handlers, and Farm Structures or Equipment

“…In all, gates and other physical barriers were involved in about 45% of cattle-handling injuries in the present study. The NEISS data also confirmed that injuries are common while working with cattle in enclosed areas, moving or herding cattle, loading, and feeding (Casey et al, 1997b;Mainzer, 1966;Rautiainen et al, 2004;Sheldon et al, 2009). Taken together, the findings of the present study support the calls of previous researchers for increased efforts toward the design and adoption of safer farm structures, equipment, and work practices.…”

“…In fact, recent research has suggested that some farmstead barriers may actually contribute to serious injuries among cattle handlers. For instance, many workers have been crushed by cattle against rigid, stationary structures such as fences, posts, barn walls, stalls, chutes, stanchions, and barn doors (Austin, 1998;Casey et al, 1997b;Douphrate et al, 2009;Hoskin and Miller, 1979;Lindsay et al, 2004;Mainzer, 1966;Rautiainen et al, 2004;Waller, 1992). In other cases, workers have been struck by steel gates or doors that were swung open with great force after being hit by cattle (CDC, 2009;Day, 1996;Douphrate et al, 2009;Hendricks and Adekoya, 2001;Sheldon et al, 2009).…”