Farm Worker Injuries Associated with Cows NEW YORK STATE 1991-1996 by Gabrielle M. Casey, BSN, RN, COHN-S, Alison M. Grant, MS, D. Sue Roerig, BSN, RN, Jane Boyd, BS, RN, COHN-S, Marylee Hill, BS, RN, COHN-S, Matthew London, MS, Kitty H. Gelberg, PhD, MPH, Eric Hallman, MS, and John Pollock, MPS A recent overview of agricultural occupational safety and health hazards reported the incidence of trauma due to farm animals as "unknown" (OSHA, 1994), possibly due to the attention given to machine related injuries. A study based on National Safety Council data estimated that animal induced injuries amount to 16.9% of all farm work injuries (Purschwitz, 1990). However, in a recent dairy farming study, 32% of injuries were reported as animal related (Pratt, 1992). Among hospitalized victims of agricultur- al injury, 3% of long term disabilities resulted from farm animal injuries (Cogbill, 1985). Thus, animal related injuries in the agricultural workplace are common and potentially serious. Another study found 61 of 70 (87%) animal related occupational injuries among farm residents were caused by cows (Layde, 1996). During the period from 1991 to 1996, the Occupational Health Nurses in Agricultural Communities (OHNAC) surveillance program* in New ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Ms. Casey, Ms. Grant, Mr. London, and Dr. Gelberg are from New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Occupational Health, Albany, NY. Ms. Roerig, Ms. Boyd, and Ms. Hill are from New York State Occupational Health Nurses in Agricultural Communities. Mr. Hallman and Mr. Pollock are from Cornell University, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Ithaca, NY. 446 York State conducted investigations to determine the nature of farm injuries and characterize associated risk factors for the purpose of developing preventive mea- sures. In the OHNAC surveillance program, frequent reports of cow related injuries, including two fatalities, prompted staff to examine the cow related injuries in the database. Of783 reported incidents, 101 (13%) were ani- mal related, with 57 (7%) caused by cows. By visiting the farms, staff were able to obtain detailed information about how the incidents occurred. In this article, the cir- cumstances and types of injuries caused by cows, the resulting lost work time, and methods for reducing their occurrence are discussed. METHODS Data Collection Under the OHNAC surveillance program, New York State is divided into three regions, each of which is over- seen by a nurse based in an occupational health clinic. Information about farm accidents is obtained on a non- mandatory basis from health care providers, local coop- erative extension agents, the news media, and other sources. After learning about an incident, nurses, fre- quently accompanied by an agricultural engineer or a social worker, visit the farm and record relevant informa- tion. The information is then entered into a common database. In addition, the nurses provide referral support regarding rehabilitation, financial aid, social services, and recommendations about preventive measures relating to farm safety. Database Information The database contains a range of farm incidents from minor to life threatening and fatal. Information about the farms, victims, injuries, activity performed, work experi- *OHNAC was funded by CDC's National Institute for Occupational Saf ety and Health (Grant No. CCU206033) and the New York State Department of Health. AAOHN JOURNAL
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