Swedish Dairy Farmers' Perceptions of Animal-Related Injuries

Abstract

Animal-related injuries are among the most common occupational injuries in agriculture. Despite the large number of documented animal-related injuries in dairy farming, the issue has received relatively limited attention in the scientific literature. The farmers' own perspectives and views on risks and safety during livestock handling and what they think are effective ways of preventing injuries are valuable for the future design of effective interventions. This paper presents results from a qualitative study with the aim to investigate Swedish dairy farmers' own experience of animal-related occupational injuries, as well as their perceptions of and attitudes towards them, including risk and safety issues, and prevention measures. A total of 12 dairy farmers with loose housing systems participated in the study. Data collection was conducted by means of semistructured in-depth interviews. Three main themes with an impact on risks and safety when handling cattle were identified: the handler, the cattle, and the facilities. They all interact with each other, influencing the potential risks of any work task. Most of the farmers believed that a majority of the injuries can be prevented, but there are always some incidents that are impossible to foresee. In conclusion, this study indicates that Swedish dairy farmers are aware of the dangers from working with cattle. However, even though safety is acknowledged by the farmers as an important and relevant issue, in the end safety is often forgotten or not prioritized. One concern is that farmers are willing to take calculated risks to save money or time. In situations where they work alone with high stress levels and under economic distress, safety issues are easily given low priority.

Are animal-related injuries in rural areas a social problem? A survey from Poland

“…In the Swedish survey most, farmers declared that they are aware of the danger of working with animals and the fact that safety during interaction with animals is an important and relevant issue. Nevertheless, they admitted that safety rules are often forgotten and not prioritized and though a majority of accidents could be prevented [11,44].…”

“…On the basis of Finnish research, an assumption was made that the chain of causation is different for fatal and non-fatal injuries [13]. Some authors emphasize that despite the large number of documented animal-related injuries, there is still a small number of publications dealing with this problem in scientific literature [11].…”

“…According to Swedish research, there are three defined factors that influence risk and safety during contact and working with animals: the human (handler), the animal (cattle), and the facilities. Correlation among them presents an influence on the potential risks of injury [11]. On the basis of Finnish research, an assumption was made that the chain of causation is different for fatal and non-fatal injuries [13].…”

“…Studies have been conducted for better understanding the main causes of accidents in agriculture [11][12][13]. According to Swedish research, there are three defined factors that influence risk and safety during contact and working with animals: the human (handler), the animal (cattle), and the facilities.…”

Influence of low-stress handling on reactivity score and pregnancy rate during fixed-time artificial insemination in Nellore cows

“…Low-stress handling is a useful tool for minimizing FTAI handling. Before an FTAI procedure, these techniques can be performed more rapidly and safely than conventional handling to avoid direct losses or indirect losses, such as reduced pregnancy rate (Lindahl et al, 2012;Paranhos da Costa, 2002;Walker et al, 2010).…”