Summary of Documented Fatalities in Livestock Manure Storage and Handling Facilities-1975-2004

Abstract

Data were compiled and analyzed on the estimated frequency and characteristics of deaths related to on-farm manure storage and handling facilities for the period of 1975 through 2004. Sources included published government reports, national and local media, on-line searches, published farm fatality reports, and prior litigation. No prior research was identified that addressed the magnitude of the problem, nor documented evidence-based intervention strategies. Data from 77 fatalities along with 21 severe injuries and 14 international fatality cases were identified, documented and coded for analysis. Analysis of the 77 fatalities showed that victim characteristics and causative factors did not reflect previously reported patterns; i.e., over half of the fatalities involved dairy operations and 21% involved persons under the age of 16. The largest percentage (34%) of deaths occurred to persons conducting repair or maintenance activities on manure handling equipment, while the second largest group (22%) were attempting to perform a rescue of another person. The most frequently identified cause of death was asphyxiation with elevated levels of sulfide levels in the blood noted in some cases. The peak period of incidents were during the hottest part of the summer and often associated with transferring of manure for application to crop ground. Recommendations included the need to revise ASABE EP470 Manure Storage Safety Practice to include engineering controls that would reduce the need for farmers and farm workers to enter spaces containing toxic manure-related gases. In addition, the need to educate owner/operators and employees concerning the hazards associated with agricultural manure storage structures and equipment, especially those classified as permit-required confined spaces, should be considered, including the need for appropriate warnings and entry procedures. Incorporation of current OSHA confined space entry procedures into these facilities is also recommended.

Occupational safety during interventions in confined spaces

“…Other revealing statistics about the risks involved in confined space interventions were inventoried by Burlet-Vienney et al (2014) in a literature review (e.g. Fuller and Suruda, 2000;Dorevitch et al, 2002;Beaver and Field, 2007;Riedel and Field, 2013 In Quebec, employers are legally bound to respect Division XXVI (sections 297 to 312) of the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (ROHS) (Quebec Government, 2014) when it comes to work in confined spaces. This regulation is equivalent to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 in the United States.…”

Characteristics of pollutant gas releases from swine, dairy, beef, and layer manure, and municipal wastewater

“…Hydrogen sulfide is a prominent gaseous constituent in animal buildings and manure storage (Hooser et al, 2000). It has been considered the most dangerous gas from livestock production systems and was responsible for deaths of many animals and farm workers at animal facilities (e.g., Beaver and Field, 2007;Oesterhelweg and Puschel, 2008). Concentrations of H 2 S ranging from 0 to 2 ppm (part per million) were reported in animal buildings (e.g., Clark and McQuitty, 1987;Ni et al, 2002Ni et al, , 2012.…”

The Need for a Comprehensive Approach to Managing Confined Space Entry: Summary of the Literature and Recommendations for Next Steps

“…(15) • 9.2% in grain transportation (e.g., asphyxiation) • 5.7% in forage storage (e.g., asphyxiation). Workers under age 16 accounted for 20% of the cases.…”

“…For example, farm workers interrogated in an accident investigation reported knowing that the manure pit was dangerous, but that they were unable to assess the degree of danger compared to other risky work situations. (15) In theory, according to the regulations and standards, all confined spaces must be considered dangerous and entry forbidden until a qualified person has determined the requisite intervention conditions. (6,9) …”

“…(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) Unfortunately, despite the substantial efforts made, the most recent statistics taken from various scientific or regulatory publications (Table I) indicate that too many fatal incidents related to work in confined spaces still occur. (3,6,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18) Major risks involved when working in confined spaces are summarized by the definition of a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) that is a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: (i) contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, (ii) contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant, (iii) has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or (iv) contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard." (5) …”