Citation

Douphrate DI, Rosecrance JC, Stallones L, Reynolds SJ, Gilkey DP. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2009; 52(5): 391-407.

Affiliation

Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.20686

PMID

19197949

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that livestock-handling injuries are among the most severe of agricultural injuries. This study identifies the costs, characteristics, and contributing factors associated with livestock-handling injuries among Colorado dairy farmers, cattle/livestock raisers, and cattle dealers. METHODS: A 10-year (1997-2006) history of Colorado's workers' compensation claims data was used for analysis. Descriptive analyses of livestock-handling injury claims were performed. Claim cost analysis was also conducted. The agent-host-environment epidemiological model was used to analyze injury event descriptions. RESULTS: A total of 1,114 livestock-handling claims were analyzed. Claims associated with milking parlor tasks represented nearly 50% of injuries among dairy workers. Claims associated with riding horseback, sorting/penning cattle, and livestock-handling equipment represented high proportions of livestock-handling injuries among cattle/livestock raisers and cattle dealers. Claims associated with livestock-handling represented the highest percentage of high-cost and high-severity injuries in all three sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Livestock-handling injuries are a significant problem, more costly, and result in more time off work than other causes of agricultural injuries. There is a strong and compelling need to develop cost-effective interventions to reduce the number of livestock-handling injuries in agriculture.

Language: en