Thomas
L. Bean
Ohio State University Extension
Many
farmers have never stopped to consider why animals behave
as they do and, more importantly, what this behavior may mean
to their personal safety. Animal-handling practices are often
inherited from watching others and from our own experiences
growing up on the farm. Too often, this results in unsafe
animal handling and restraint practices.
Although
most animal accidents are not fatal, many men, women and children
are needlessly injured each year because of a lack of safety
awareness. Broken bones, crushed and mashed limbs, missed
days of work and unnecessary medical expenses are some of
the results of animal-related accidents.
Individuals
may work carefully around animals most of the time, but then
are injured in an animal accident because of preoccupation,
haste, impatience or anger. It is during these moments that
a livestock handler really needs to understand animal behavior.
Beef, swine and dairy cattle are generally colorblind and
have poor depth perception. This results in an extreme sensitivity
to contrasts, which may cause an animal to balk at shadows
or rapid changes from light to dark. Sheep are also considered
colorblind, but do have good depth perception. Instead, sheep
have difficulty picking out small details, such as the open
space created by a partially opened gate.
Cattle,
horses and mules have a panoramic field of vision, which means
they can see everything around them except what is immediately
behind their hindquarters (see Figure 1). Therefore, approaching
from the side or front can be less startling to these animals
than approaching from behind.
Horses
and mules commonly kick toward their hindquarters, while cows
kick forward and out to the side (see Figure 2). Cows also
have a tendency to kick toward a side with pain from inflammation
or injuries. For example, if a dairy cow is suffering from
mastitis in one quarter, consider approaching her from the
side of the non-affected udder.
Livestock with young exhibit a maternal instinct. They are
usually more defensive and difficult to handle. When possible,
let the young stay as close to the adult as possible when
handling.
Most
animals have a strong territorial instinct and develop a sense
of "homeland" in their pens, corrals and pastures. They develop
a very distinctive, comfortable attachment to these areas.
An example of the homeland instinct is the well-worn paths
created in most pastures and between pastures and buildings,
water troughs and feed bunks. Forcible removal from a homeland
area can cause animals to react unexpectedly.
Considering
these animal traits, it is easy to understand why animals
often hesitate when going through unfamiliar gates, barn doors,
and handling and loading chutes. In addition, shadows, yelling
and rapid changes in lighting can further excite animals and
make their behavior unpredictable. Similar problems occur
when animals are moved away from feed, separated from the
herd or approached by an unfamiliar person.
Animals
are extremely sensitive to noise and are easily frightened
or spooked. In their attempts to move away from the direction
or source of the noise, they may crash into or through objects,
including people, because of their colorblindness and poor
depth perception. Be cautious around animals that are blind
or deaf on one side. They favor that side and can suddenly
swing around to investigate disturbances. If standing too
close, a person could easily be knocked down and trampled.
Young
farm animals can form relationships simultaneously with other
animals and with human handlers. Animals respond to the way
they are treated and draw upon past experiences when reacting
to a situation. For example, a newborn raised on a bottle
or bucket may develop a very strong affection for the person
feeding it and feel comfortable around people. However, animals
that are chased, slapped, kicked, hit or frightened when young
will naturally fear being approached.
Animals
are often said to be "stubborn" because they balk or refuse
to enter an area. Once this has happened, the animal is likely
to refuse the next several times as well and may become a
little more excited and dangerous with each refusal. It is
important to take the time to prepare for moving animals.
Many farmers are tempted to move animals without the necessary
planning and often end up in a battle with the animal that
could lead to an injury.
In addition
to unique vision characteristics, sensitivity to noise and
a strong territorial instinct, animals have physical and mental
sensations similar to those of humans that can cause them
to react fiercely to handlers. Animals experience hunger,
thirst, fear, sickness, injury and strong maternal instincts.
They also develop individual behavior patterns such as kicking
or biting. The handler should be aware of these behaviors
and take necessary precautions. Safety precautions include
using personal protective equipment such as safety glasses,
gloves, long trousers, steel-toed shoes or boots, shin guards
and a hard hat, depending on the activity and type of livestock
being handled.
Handlers
should also be concerned with zoonotic diseases, which are
illnesses that can be transmitted between humans and animals.
Leptospirosis, rabies, brucellosis, salmonellosis and ringworm
are especially important. A livestock producer can contract
zoonotic illnesses by being bitten by the animal, handling
an infected animal or disposing of infected tissues. To reduce
exposure to disease, use basic hygiene and sanitation practices,
which include prompt treating or disposal of infected animals,
adequate disposal of infected tissues, proper cleaning of
contaminated sites, and proper use of personal protective
equipment.
Facilities
can play a major role in preventing accidents. Good facilities
provide a means of controlling animals while allowing easy
access for routine chores : all in a safe environment. To
help prevent accidents, keep walk and work surfaces properly
lighted and clear of debris and obstructions. To reduce the
risk of falls, provide slip-resistant footing for workers
and livestock with roughened concrete ramp and floor surfaces.
- Use
a ground fault circuit interrupter with water heaters, power
tools and other equipment.
- Use
moisture-proof fuse boxes, switches and electrical outlets
in wet or damp areas.
- Never
use homemade electric fence controllers. Use only those
approved by a recognized testing agency such as Underwriter
Laboratory.
Electric
shocks are always a risk when working in wet or damp areas of
barns or milking parlors. Use splash guards in elevated milking
parlors. Because leptospira organisms can enter the body through
eyes and open wounds, use eye protection and gloves if splash
guards are unavailable. All pens, chutes, gates, fences and
loading ramps should be strong and work properly. Man-passes
should be provided to allow handlers to get away from animals
in an emergency. If bulls are kept for breeding, serious accidents
can be avoided by having sufficient bull-confinement and restraint
facilities. Properly designed treatment stalls and appropriate
animal-restraint equipment and facilities can reduce accidents
or injuries during animal examination, medication, hoof trimming,
dehorning and artificial insemination. The risk of child or
livestock drownings can be reduced by fencing lagoons and ponds.
- Understand
animal behavior.
- Provide
proper and safe facilities.
- Protect
against zoonotic diseases.
- Wear
personal protective equipment.
Most
animal-related accidents are the result of "people problems."
Poor judgment and lack of understanding are major causes of
accidents involving animals. Plan ahead to allow plenty of time
to move animals, so there is no need to hurry. Do not try to
manhandle animals when you are angry. Some handlers may exhibit
a feeling of superiority over animals, which is foolish when
one considers the size of some farm animals.
Other
common problems should also be avoided, such as horseplay
(people play), improper lifting of young animals, prodding
an animal that has no place to go, tying a person to an animal,
attempting a task without enough help, not providing proper
and safe facilities, and not wearing personal protective equipment.
What
can farmers do to increase their level of safety when handling
animals? Although there is certainly no magical formula, common
sense is a key ingredient.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
document is AEX-990,
a series of the Agricultural Engineering Department, Ohio
State University Extension, Columbus, Ohio 43210. Publication
date: January 1992.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts
of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Bobby D. Moser, Director of Ohio
State University Extension, The Ohio State University. All
educational programs and activities conducted by Ohio State
University Extension are available to all potential clientele
on a non- discriminatory basis without regard to race, color
creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex,
age, handicap or Vietnam-era veteran status.
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