Facilities and Knowledge Keys in Preventing Accidents

September 9, 1996

Greensboro, NC: Know the behavioral tendencies of the animal and control its environment - those are the two most important rules a livestock handler should follow, according to animal science experts.

"Following the proper handling procedures is in the best interest of the animal's well-being and the producer's profits," said Dr. Chuck Talbott, an adjunct assistant professor of animal science with North Carolina A&T State University's School of Agriculture.

Studies indicate that injuries involving work with animals rank second only to farm machinery injuries in mishaps involving farmers. Though animal-related injuries are usually not as severe as those involving machinery, they can result in considerable loss of time and money.

"Most injuries result from mistakes made by the handler," said Talbott. "When an injury occurs, it is usually due to someone not understanding how animals react, or because the animal handler failed to provide adequate facilities for the animal's environment."

To understand animal behavior, it is necessary to understand the reasons behind the behavior. "Animals are creatures of habit, and they experience fear and comfort in much the same way as humans. Therefore, it is important that their needs are accommodated," said Talbott.

Animals form positive and negative associations with people, places and actions. Anything that causes pain or displeasure will elicit a negative reaction. Likewise, stimuli that animals associate with comfort and familiarity will enhance the cooperation of the animal.

"A routine and a stable environment minimizes the stress an animal feels and enhances its productivity," said Talbott. Additionally, once livestock become familiar with their surroundings, including their human handlers, the chance of an unpleasant animal-human encounter is reduced.

Professional handlers trained in animal behavior should be the only people allowed to work with animals. Inexperienced helpers often confuse animals with their unpredictable movements, or startle animals by appearing nervous.

"Most animals can sense when a person is nervous, and human nervousness makes the animal nervous," said Christopher Couch, facility manager for NC A&T's swine studies laboratory. Talbott and Couch recommend that helpers be coached on what to expect before working with animals, and that they not work with temperamental breeding animals such as boars, sows and bulls.

Well-constructed and well-maintained facilities are equally important to the safety of both the handler and the animal. A well-constructed facility allows for the comfort of the animals while providing easy access for routine chores. Also important is the opportunity for the handler to make a quick escape should one be necessary.

"While working with animals, you should always be thinking about the quickest way out," said Couch. "Also be careful not to stand behind gates that can swing open and hit you, and don't put your arm through a fence. Many animals have enough strength to break bones."

Since sure footing is crucial to secure movement of both handlers and animals, chutes, ramps and pens should be kept clear of debris and obstructions, and workers should wear boots with sufficient traction.

Properly constructed facilities are built around a knowledge of animal behavior. Domesticated animals are particularly sensitive to their environment, so it is important to control such factors as lighting, noise and pathways.

Due to perception limitations, shadows and bright spots confuse animals, making consistent lighting important. Animals such as swine and beef and dairy cattle are extremely sensitive to contrasts and may balk at shadows or rapid changes from light to dark.

Many animals are also highly sensitive to noise and tend to make sudden changes in movement when a noise startles them. Complicating this situation, perception limitations cause these sudden movements to be unpredictable, sometimes resulting in injuries to the animal or its handlers.

Handlers can avoid this type of accident by maintaining a calm but firm tone of voice, and by ensuring that disruptive behavior doesn't occur around the animals.

Like startling noises and uneven lighting, the moving of animals disrupts their routine and can make their reactions unpredictable.

"Know the path that you want the animal to follow, and position gates and handlers in a manner that gives the animal an unobstructed and secure path to follow," said Talbott.

Courses and research in the NC A&T Department of Animal Sciences follow a national trend by focusing on adapting handling practices and facilities to the needs of the animal. Experts indicate that this approach provides a safer environment for the animal as well as its handler.