Fatal Animal Related Incidents on Australian Farms – a 20-Year Review.

The research article is a 20-year review of fatal incidents involving animals on Australian farms, describing demographic and causal factors, and suggesting a need for improved safety protocols, particularly around horses and cattle, and for the elderly population.

Objective and Methodology

• The aim of the research was to examine the demographic and causal factors of fatal incidents on Australian farms that involved animals, over a 20-year period (2001-2020).
• The researchers used the National Coronial Information System as the source of their data, analyzing factors such as the age and sex of the victims and whether or not the incidents were work-related.
• The location of each incident and the animals involved were also a focus of the data analysis.

Key Findings

• Results showed that the average number of animal-related fatalities per year over the study period was 6.5, a 35% reduction compared to the rate observed between 1989 and 1992.
• Horses were involved in 75 cases while cattle were involved in 31 cases, roughly 81% of all incidents.
• Most victims were men (66%), and people aged 60 years and older accounted for almost half of all cases.
• Over half of the fatal incidents occurred in a work setting, and 85% of them happened when a person fell from or was struck by an animal.
• Head injuries were a result of 40% of the incidents.

Implications and Recommendations

• Despite a decrease in the overall fatalities, the main agents causing fatalities—horses and cattle— remained consistent with past studies.
• The study reveals a distinct lack of progress in addressing fatalities related to these two animals and highlights the vulnerability of the aged population on farms.
• The findings suggest a need to focus attention on safety protocols using the Hierarchy of Controls. The Hierarchy of Controls is a system used in industry to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards. It starts with the most effective strategies like elimination of the hazard, and ends with the least effective, like wearing personal protective equipment.