Occupational fatalities due to animal-related events.
Abstract: To better understand the extent of animal-related fatalities in the workplace. Methods: This study utilized Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries files from the US Department of Labor for the years 1992-1997 to describe the events surrounding human workplace fatalities associated with animals. Results: During the 6-year time period, 350 workplace deaths could be associated with an animal-related event. Cattle and horses were the animals primarily involved, and workers in the agricultural industry experienced the majority of events. Many deaths involved transportation events, either direct collision with the animal or highway crashes trying to avoid collision with an animal. Exotic animals, primarily elephants and tigers, were responsible for a few deaths. A small number of workers died of a zoonotic infection. Conclusions: We found that approximately 1% of workplace fatalities are associated with an animal-related event. Methods to decrease the frequency of an animal injury are suggested.
Publication Date: 2001-09-20 PubMed ID: 11562015DOI: 10.1580/1080-6032(2001)012[0168:ofdtar]2.0.co;2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the causes and extent of work-related fatalities associated with animals by studying US labor data from 1992 to 1997.
Research Methodology
- The study made use of Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries files, which was provided by the US Department of Labor.
- The researchers analyzed data from 1992 to 1997, focusing on cases of fatal occupational injuries associated with animals.
Findings
- Over the six-year period, 350 workplace deaths were linked to animal-related events.
- The primary animals involved in these fatalities were cattle and horses.
- The majority of the incidents took place in the agricultural industry, indicating a greater risk for workers in this sector.
- A significant number of deaths were a result of transportation incidents. These included direct collisions with the animal and highway crashes where the individual was trying to avoid hitting an animal.
- Unexpectedly, exotic animals such as elephants and tigers were responsible for a few isolated fatalities.
- In some cases, workers died due to zoonotic infections, which are diseases transmitted to humans from animals.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The study conclusively found that in the six year period, 1% of workplace fatalities were associated with an animal-related event.
- In light of these findings, the researchers suggested the development and implementation of methods aimed at reducing the incidents of animal injuries in the workplace.
Cite This Article
APA
Langley RL, Hunter JL.
(2001).
Occupational fatalities due to animal-related events.
Wilderness Environ Med, 12(3), 168-174.
https://doi.org/10.1580/1080-6032(2001)012[0168:ofdtar]2.0.co;2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Section of Human Ecology and Epidemiology, Raleigh 27699-1912, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Accidents, Occupational / mortality
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Aged
- Agriculture
- Animals
- Animals, Zoo
- Birds
- Cattle
- Cause of Death
- Deer
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Insecta
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Sex Factors
- Sports
- United States / epidemiology
- Veterinarians
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Bhuiyan MAA, Agrawal P, Wadhwaniya S, Li Q, Alonge O, Rahman AF, Rahman A. Animal-related injuries and fatalities: evidence from a large-scale population-based cross-sectional survey in rural Bangladesh.. BMJ Open 2019 Nov 2;9(11):e030039.
- Guinnefollau L, Gee EK, Bolwell CF, Norman EJ, Rogers CW. Benefits of Animal Exposure on Veterinary Students' Understanding of Equine Behaviour and Self-Assessed Equine Handling Skills.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Aug 28;9(9).
- Kozak A, Schedlbauer G, Peters C, Nienhaus A. Self-reported musculoskeletal disorders of the distal upper extremities and the neck in German veterinarians: a cross-sectional study.. PLoS One 2014;9(2):e89362.
- Vuletic J, Byard RW. Death due to crushing by an elephant trunk.. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2013 Sep;9(3):449-51.
- Abu-Zidan FM, Hefny AF, Eid HO, Bashir MO, Branicki FJ. Camel-related injuries: prospective study of 212 patients.. World J Surg 2012 Oct;36(10):2384-9.
- Mitchell KB, Kotecha VR, Chandika A. Bush animal attacks: management of complex injuries in a resource-limited setting.. World J Emerg Surg 2011 Dec 22;6(1):43.
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