DOWN ON THE FARM WORKING 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-

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 safety safety Working Safely with Livestock- OSU factsheet AEX l

For More Information OSU Ag Safety & Health The Ohio State University Ag Engineering Building 590 Woody Hayes Drive Columbus, Ohio Phone: 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