Humane Handling: Best Practices › images › NMA_Humane_Handling_Best_… · NAMA Humane Handling: Best Practices Erika L. Voogd Voogd Consulting, Inc. evoogd@voogdconsulting.com

NAMA

Humane Handling:Best Practices

Erika L. VoogdVoogd Consulting, Inc.

evoogd@voogdconsulting.com1-630-293-9444

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NAMA Agenda

Components of a Robust

Systematic Approach

Common Humane Handling

Challenges and Solutions

Open Discussion and Questions

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NAMA Agenda

Components of a Robust

Systematic Approach

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NAMA

Describes: Procedures implemented to stay in

compliance

Records kept to demonstrate that program isimplemented as written

Records to demonstrate the program willprevent potential non-compliances

Actions the establishment will take when itfails to implement program as written or failsto prevent a non compliance

Written Program

NAMA

Include:

Diagrams or blueprints of theanimal handling systems

• Receiving area

• Holding pens and alleys

• Crowd pen and lead up chute

Initial Assessment

NAMA

Include:

• Stunning area

• Restrainers

• Bleed rail

Initial Assessment

NAMA

Can Include:

Flowcharts (riskassessment)

Writtenevaluations

Initial Assessment

Minutes of team meetings

Written Standard OperatingProcedures (SOP’s)

NAMA Photos Before / After

Photos byT. Grandin

NAMA

Cargill AMI Presentation

NAMAFactors that Affect AnimalHandling: Issues

Make a table to outlineareas where the followinghumane handling issuescan occur:

Slips and falls

Bruising and cuts

Truck discomfort

Ease of movement

NAMA

Lighting

Reflections

Sunlight/shadows

Machinery noise

Other noise

Air flow/smell

Insensibility issues

Factors that Affect AnimalHandling: Causes

Photos: T. Grandin

NAMAFactors that Affect AnimalHandling: Causes

Curb:Trip

Gatewidth

NAMA Map of potential problem areas

Cargill AMI Presentation

NAMA Facility Design andHandling Practices

SOP’s for live animalhandling:

• Providing water and feed

• Providing ample penspace (stocking density)

• Special procedures fornon-ambulatory,disabled or younganimals (Be careful!!!)

NAMA Facility Design andHandling Practices

SOP’s for stunning:

Stunner maintenance

• Include backupstunner

Procedures to assurestun operatorcompetency

Procedures forhandling a sensibleanimal on the bleed rail

NAMA Facility Design andHandling Practices

SOP’s for:

Inspecting pens andequipment

Cleaning of pens

Employee Training

Frequency of meetings,training and auditing

Verifying and monitoringpractices!!!!!

NAMA Employee Training

Training shouldinclude:

Initial training foranimal handlersand truckers, priorto working withanimals.

Interactivetraining methods

Alchemy: ComputerTraining

evoogd@voogdconsulting.com

NAMA Employee Training

Training shouldinclude: Training materials

(videos, slides, etc.)

A quiz to measureunderstanding

Visual review(verification) ofpractices to assureeffectiveness

Quarterly or annualretraining

Certificates!!!!

NAMA Implementation andOngoing Evaluation

Monitoring and documentationshould include:

Training documentation

Work orders and records forcorrective actions

Maintenance records forstunners and other equipmentused to handle animals

A log book works well forsmall plants

NAMA Implementation andOngoing Evaluation

Monitoring can include:

Internal audits of HH practices(follow AMI and industry formats,document frequency andcomponents reviewed)

Include facility inspection andtransport reviews

3rd party or corporate HH audits

NAMA Implementation andOngoing Evaluation

Monitoring can include:

Video surveillance, including reviewof live feed or recordings

Statistical Process Control (SPC) ortrending to review measures anddeficiencies (including NR’s)

Program Reassessment at leastannually

NAMA Pro-active Actions

Document actions to take and actuallytaken when issues occur:

Emergency management plan for livestock:considering floods, tornados, poweroutages, fire or mechanical breakdowns, etc.

NAMA Pro-active Actions

Document actions to take and actuallytaken when issues occur:

Corrective action documentation fordeficiencies identified during dailyactivities and monitoring

Guidance for employees whenunanticipated incidents occur:

• AW Corrective Action Report

NAMA Corrective Actions

Example of Program CorrectiveActions for audit deficiency:

1. Notify supervisor and superintendent of thefailure. Recheck in 30 minutes.

2. Notify supervisor and superintendent of thefailure. Recheck in 30 minutes.

3. Notify supervisor and superintendent of thefailure. A 10% line speed reduction until 2consecutive rechecks at 30 minutes apartmeet the process control standards.

NAMA Agenda

Components of a Robust

Systematic Approach

Common Humane

Handling Challenges and

Solutions

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NAMA Slipping and Falling

Short Term:

• Barn lime

• Sand

• Salt

Medium Term:

• Scrub Cement

• Acid Etch Cement

• Utilize Mats (ddfamilymats.net)

NAMA Slipping and Falling

Long Term:

• Score, roughen orstamp concrete

• Add rebar orcletes

NAMA

Noise:

Sound Baffles andSilencers

Distractions and Balking

Light / Contrast: Spot Light Tarp

Visibility: Cardboard Curtains Walls

NAMA

Reduce electricalprod use

Alternative:

• Vibrating Prod

• Air operatedengraver withsoftenedcarbide tip

Balking

• http://www.mcmaster.com/#1564t68/=3fhywv

Keep animals calm!!!

Restraint: Largeranimals requireequipmentchanges

Restraint

Restraint: Evenmovement bothsides

Restraint: Largeranimals requireequipment changes

Restraint

Photo by T. Grandin

Adjustable holddown (entrance)

NAMA Stunning

You need a BIGGER stunner

for BIG animals!

Cash Magnum withlonger barrel and pin B&D electric stunner

wand extensions

AMI Website:

www.animalhandling.org

www.grandin.com

Auditing: Interpreting AMIGuidelines

www.VoogdConsulting.com

More Info

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Summary

Humane Handling

1.Use a systematicapproach

2.Minimize animalexcitement, injury

3.Facility design andmaintenance arecritical

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4. Provideemployeetraining5. Measureresults

6. Document!!

THANKS!!!!!!!

www.voogdconsulting.comevoogd@voogdconsulting.com

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