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Livestock‐handling injuries in agriculture: An analysis of Colorado workers' compensation data
Author(s) -
Douphrate David I.,
Rosecrance John C.,
Stallones Lorann,
Reynolds Stephen J.,
Gilkey David P.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20686
Subject(s) - livestock , agriculture , milking , medicine , agricultural science , environmental health , business , veterinary medicine , geography , environmental science , forestry , archaeology
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. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:391–407, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.