Treat Farm Animals with Respect

Safety News
Making California Workplaces Safer
N e w s
A b o u t
O c c u p a t i o n a l
S a f e t y
a n d
H e a l t h
i n
Treat Farm Animals with Respect
W
orkers on farms and
ranches face many
hazards each day that
result in injuries and illnesses.
The hazards can result from tools,
supplies, and even the facilities
used in livestock care. However, if
workers are trained to recognize
hazards, wear personal protective equipment (PPE), follow safe
handling techniques, and practice good housekeeping, they may prevent these painful incidents which
result in lost time, money, and productivity.
slips, trips and falls
on wet, muddy or
manure covered surfaces. Sturdy leather
gloves protect hands
against cuts and
scrapes; however,
disposable rubber
gloves are best for
treating or birthing
animals. Safety goggles protect eyes from dust,
chaff, chemicals or flying particles common in
livestock operations.
Even though there are special handling and safety
considerations for different livestock, most animals
have common instinctive behaviors. Learn to respect
those instincts by announcing your presence when
approaching an animal. Many animals are comfortable with routine, and they can become dangerous
and unpredictable if startled or spooked by loud
noises or quick movements. As well, livestock are
large enough to cause serious injury if provoked
or handled improperly. Even though livestock are
not generally violent they can be territorial and
will display a natural tendency to protect their young
or become aggressive during mating seasons. Keep
that in mind and always leave yourself an escape
route when working with livestock, especially in
close quarters.
Many livestock handling injuries are directly related
to equipment or building structures, so flooring
should be regularly cleaned. Lighting in livestock
areas should be evenly diffused; shadows and light
changes can excite or spook animals, particularly
in crowding and loading areas. When moving cattle
into a constrained space give them time to adjust to
the lighting and new environment.
Always wear PPE when working with or around
livestock. Good quality safety shoes or boots protect
your feet from powerful hooves and equipment.
Skid resistant soles provide better footing to prevent
Livestock can generate airborne contaminants,
including gases, odor, dust, and microbes so
proper ventilation is imperative for the health of
animal handlers. Wear the appropriate respirator
when cleaning livestock facilities, handling hay or
feed, and when working in confined spaces, such
as a manure pits (which must be secured against
unauthorized entry) or in silos. Make sure that all
your workers are trained in any hazards they may
encounter in livestock operations and that they
always treat animals with respect. q
A G R I C U L T U R E
Workplace Hazard
Assessments
Farm and ranch workers are frequently
exposed to an array of hazards each day
on the job. These hazards depend upon the
crops, the animals, and the type or location
of work activities.
Performing a hazard assessment helps to
optimize a safe work operation. The assessments can identify possible hazards so steps
can be taken to reduce or eliminate them.
If a hazard can’t be eliminated, workers
should be educated about the hazards and
safe work practices should be enforced.
Tractors and other agricultural machinery
are commonly used on farms or ranches
and tractor rollovers are involved in more
fatal injuries than any other cause. To protect tractor operators, a Rollover Protection
Structure (ROPS) should be mounted on
the vehicle and seat belts should be installed
and worn. Tractors with Power Take-Off
(PTO) and other agricultural machinery
can present entanglement in moving parts
and pose another primary hazard and cause
of injury.
Stay alert around large farm animals, which
can cause injuries on dairy and livestock
farms. Bulls, stallions, or boars, and new
animal mothers defending their young, can
seriously injure workers. Keep in mind any
Continued on next page
ISSUE FOUR, 2011
Feature Articles
Treat Farm Animals with Respect
Workplace Hazard Assessments
From Our Expert – Integrating Employee
Health and Wellness
In Each Issue
Safety Topic – Be Smart About Bug Bites
Reporting Injuries
Listeria Outbreak in the United States
Employer Education Series
S a f e t y
N e w s S t a t e
C o m p e n s a t i o n
I n s u r a n c e
F u n d I s s u e
F o u r ,
2 0 11
FROM OUR EXPERT
Integrating Employee Health and Wellness
T
he National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends integrating wellness with safety
to protect, preserve, and improve the health
and well-being of workers. This approach
has been shown to reduce healthcare insurance costs, lower workers’ compensation
premiums by reducing injuries, and increase
productivity for businesses, while improving
quality of life for workers.
Wellness programs are necessary to educate
and engage the workforce. Rates of obesity,
arthritis, stress, and other chronic health
conditions are at all time highs in the working population. While these conditions may
result from factors outside of the workplace,
they have a detrimental effect on business
outcomes. Since employees spend a significant portion of their lives in the workplace,
it seems like the optimal place to introduce
wellness and lifestyle topics. The workplace
provides opportunities for education on a
variety of topics including healthy eating,
the importance of physical activity, and the
benefits of smoking cessation, as well as
a built-in peer support structure from
possibly integrate nutrition is to peform a
“walkability” audit of the area surrounding
a business. While the main focus is to identify safe and attractive walking routes around
the worksite and surrounding neighborhood to introduce physical activity during
breaks, an additional benefit is the ability
to highlight healthy eating options within
walking distance.
other program participants.
As recently as 1996, obesity rates in the
adult population nationwide were below
20%. In 2010, no state had a prevalence of
obesity less than 20%. In California, 24% of
the adult population is obese. (Data from
Centers for Disease Control – Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System) Individual choices drive this epidemic, but it is
exacerbated by the sedentary nature of the
knowledge-based, service economy. The
introduction of nutritional education and
physical activity through health promotion
programs has been shown to have a positive
effect at individual workplaces.
One way to introduce physical activity and
Workplace Hazard Assessments continued from page 1
animal being handled can trod on or pin a handler
against a wall or fence.
severely burn lung tissues and may also displace
the oxygen, leading to suffocation.
Storage structures such as grain bins and silos
have serious hazards than can lead to death. Many
of these structures fall under the Confined Space
regulations.
It is also important to have material safety data
sheets (MSDS) available since many different
chemicals are used in agricultural operations.
The MSDS outline each chemical’s health hazards
and appropriate precautions to take to work
with the chemical safely. An MSDS also describes
the proper storage, handling, use, and disposal
of chemicals to minimize the exposure to animals,
feed, children, groundwater, or the chemical
handler. q
Confined spaces have an entirely separate set of
rules and conditions for working in and around
them safely. Stored or crusted grain in a silo for
instance, can flow and lead to entrapment and
suffocation. In silos, gas can form, which is made
up primarily of nitrogen dioxide and this gas will
An intervention at the Koger Center Rhodes
Building in Atlanta including painting, carpeting, framed artwork, motivational signs,
and music, showed increased stairwell use
by building occupants. Information on this
study and implementing a stairwell improvement project can be found at http://www.
cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/toolkits/stairwell/index.htm.
A variety of toolkits and resources for starting a successful health promotion program
can be found online at the NIOSH Total
Worker Health website. http://www.cdc.gov/
niosh/twh/. q
Ryan Horton is an Associate Ergonomics
Professional based in Southern California.
S a f e t y
N e w s
S t a t e
C o m p e n s a t i o n
I n s u r a n c e
F u n d
Safety Topic / Temas de Seguridad
Be Smart About Bug Bites
T
hroughout the year workers experience insect and spider bites that are
serious enough to make them lose
time on the job.
If a bee stings you, gently remove the
stinger (with tweezers, if possible) and
avoid squeezing the poison sac. Reduce
the swelling or itching by applying an ice
pack or a cloth dipped in cold water. Be
especially wary of yellow jacket stings as these insects feed
on dead animals and may cause blood poisoning.
The black widow spider has a shiny black body, about the
size of a pea. Females have a red or yellow hourglass mark
on their underside. The black widow spider is partial to
outdoor latrines and other places that attract flies. The
bite does not cause a hole in the skin, but soon intense
pain and stiffness set in. Symptoms include fever, nausea,
abdominal pain and chills. For children and the elderly,
black widow bites can be lethal.
The brown recluse spider is a yellowish-tan to dark brown
spider. It has a characteristic fiddleshaped mark on its upper body. Its
bite can have painful, disfiguring,
and even deadly results. Victims may
suffer severe pain and stiffness, fever,
weakness, vomiting or a rash. The
recluse’s venom destroys cells and
clots blood, blocking blood vessels
and leading to gangrene. Within 24
hours, the wound erupts into an open
sore ranging from the size of a thumbnail to that of an
adult’s hand.
Spiders typically dwell under rocks, in debris piles, sheds,
closets and attics. They are generally shy and try to avoid
contact with humans until someone comes by and invades
their space. Spiders will attack if they are trapped or
pressed against the skin.
The first line of treatment if you suspect a bite is to apply a
cold compress. However, if you have a bite and experience
other side effects, get medical treatment immediately. q
Tenga cuidado con las picaduras
de insectos
Durante el año los trabajadores sufren picaduras de insectos y arañas que son lo suficientemente graves para hacer
que ellos pierdan tiempo de trabajo.
Si una abeja le pica, retire cuidadosamente el aguijón (con
pinzas, si es posible) y evite oprimir el saco de veneno.
Aplíquese una compresa de hielo o un paño remojado en
agua fría para reducir la hinchazón o la comezón. Tenga
especial cuidado con las picaduras de avispas chaqueta
amarilla (Dolichovespula adulterina) ya que estos insectos
se alimentan de animales muertos y pueden causar envenenamiento de la sangre.
La araña viuda negra tiene un cuerpo negro brillante, del
tamaño de un chícharo. Las hembras tienen una marca
roja o amarilla en forma de reloj de arena en su vientre.
La araña viuda negra tiene preferencias por las letrinas en
exteriores y otros sitios que atraen moscas. La picadura
no perfora la piel, pero muy pronto se desarrolla un dolor
intenso y rigidez. Entre los síntomas se incluyen fiebre,
náuseas, dolor abdominal y escalofríos. La picadura de
arañas viuda negra puede ser mortal para los niños y las
personas de edad avanzada.
La araña reclusa marrón es una araña de color amarillo
I s s u e
F o u r ,
2 0 1 1
Topic Review/
Revisión del Tema
Instructor _________________________
Date / Fecha_______________________
Location / Ubicación_________________
Attended by / Asistente(s)
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Safety Recommendations /
Recomendaciones de seguridad
pajizo a marrón oscuro. Posee una marca característica
en forma de violín en la cavidad superior de su cuerpo. Su
picadura puede tener resultados dolorosos, desfigurantes
e incluso mortales. Las víctimas pueden sufrir dolores
agudos y rigidez, fiebre, debilidad, vómito o erupciones
cutáneas. El veneno de la reclusa destruye células y
coagula la sangre, lo cual bloquea los vasos sanguíneos
y pueden generar gangrena. En un lapso de 24 horas, la
herida se rompe para formar una lesión abierta que puede
tener el tamaño de un dedo pulgar hasta el tamaño de la
mano de un adulto.
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Típicamente, las arañas viven debajo de rocas, bajo apilamientos de escombros, en cobertizos, armarios y áticos.
Generalmente son tímidas y tratan de evitar el contacto
con humanos hasta que alguien se les acerca e invade su
espacio. Las arañas atacarán si se sienten atrapadas o si se
les presiona contra la piel.
__________________________________
Los primeros auxilios aplicables si se sospecha la picadura de una araña consisten en aplicar una compresa
fría. Sin embargo, si usted sufre una picadura y siente
otros efectos secundarios, obtenga tratamiento médico
inmediatamente. q
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Safety News
News About Occupational Safety and Health in
ISSUE FOUR
2011
A G R I C U LT U R E
Prsrt Std
US Postage Paid
Permit 803
Zip Code 92887
Loss Control Services
P.O. BOX 420807
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94142-0807
Please forward to the person responsible for your safety program
Listeria Outbreak in
the United States
The United States has been experiencing an outbreak of
Listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria
monocytogenes. Sources of the contamination have been traced
to contaminated melons originating in Colorado, and bags of romaine lettuce originating in California. At the time of this writing,
the infection has been linked to 28 deaths and 133 infections.
We would like to remind our policyholders that prevention
is always the best defense against infection. Wash your hands
thoroughly with soap and warm water when cooking and before
consumption of food. Wash raw vegetables, cook raw food
thoroughly, and avoid unpasteurized foods.
Symptoms start as flu-like – diarrhea, cramping pain, headaches
and fever in children, the elderly, and anyone suffering from an
immune-compromising illness. Pregnant women are especially
at risk as the infection could lead to premature delivery, stillbirth, or miscarriage.
If you suspect that you may be infected, visit your healthcare
provider who will determine if further testing is necessary based
on symptoms. Testing is done with stool and blood cultures.
Treatment is given through aggressive antibiotics.
Health officials recommend disposing of any produce suspected
of carrying the bacterium.
For further information, refer to: http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/ q
Employer Education Series
We at State Fund take pride in our mission to help make California workplaces safer. Our Employer
Education Series seminars are just one of the ways that we partner with employers and the public
to help businesses reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries, and facilitate regulatory
compliance.
Our seminar program is designed to provide information and ideas to help employers comply with
regulations, maintain safe worksites, and protect employees. Our convenient half-day seminars are
located in State Fund regional offices, and your workplace safety questions will be answered by
industry experts.
We offer more than 100 workers’ compensation and health and safety seminars to employers and the
public throughout California every year, and these seminars are provided at no cost to you.
Visit http://www.statefundca.com/safety/SafetyAndSeminars.asp to see what new seminar topics are
being offered in your area. Seating is limited so, register early! q
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Reporting Work-Related Injuries
State Fund’s Claims Reporting Center (1-888-222-3211) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
for policyholders to report injuries as soon as they occur. Agents will do the necessary paperwork to
get the claim started and refer the injured to the designated physician or provider.
Within 8 hours of any serious illness or injury (requiring hospitalization over 24 hours, other than for
medical observation or where there is permanent employee disfiguration) or death occurring in the
workplace or in connection with employment, employers must report the incident to the Division of
Occupational Safety and Health. q
This Agricultural Safety News is produced by the Corporate Communications Department of State Fund to assist clients in their loss control efforts.
Information or recommendations contained in this publication were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication.
Information is only advisory and does not presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards or situations. Permission to reprint articles
subject to approval by State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Published by State Compensation Insurance Fund’s Corporate Communications Department.
Editor: Sunil Sharma; Managing Editor: Gennenia Gordon. © State Compensation Insurance Fund 2011