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Causes of Factory Farm Worker Injury & Illness

Interactions with livestock are often cited as the most frequent causes of injury, especially for dairy workers and cattle ranchers.

In a broad survey of central U.S. farms and ranches, 22% of injuries were from livestock.[1] In a Michigan study that reviewed hospital and clinic records from 2015-2016, approximately 38% of work-related farm injuries were caused by contact with cattle, dairy cows, or other livestock.[2] A ten-year study in Colorado demonstrated that agricultural injury claims were highest for cattle dealers and dairy farms.[3]

And in a report focusing on Latino and immigrant feedlot workers, 71% had suffered one or more injuries, one-third from contact with animals/livestock.[4]

 

  1. Johnson, A., et al., (2021). Agricultural Injuries among Farmers and Ranchers in the Central United States during 2011-2015. Journal of Agromedicine, 26(1), 62–72, p. 65. [Study covering a 7-state region]
  2. Kica, J. & Rosenman, K. D. (2020). Multisource surveillance for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries. Journal of Agromedicine, 25(1), 86–95, table 2, p. 91. 
  3. Douphrate, D. I., et al., (2009). Livestock-handling injuries in agriculture: An analysis of Colorado workers’ compensation data. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 52(5), 391–407, 395, Abstract. [“Livestock-handling injuries are a significant problem, more costly, and result in more time off work than other causes of agricultural injuries.”]
  4. Ramos, A., et al., (2021). Occupational Injuries among Latino/a Immigrant Cattle Feedyard Workers in the Central States Region of the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8821, pp. 5-7.

Workers in animal production have high rates of respiratory diseases, which are the most common illnesses.[1-3] Particulate matter (PM) is a major contributor, large portions of which are created by fecal matter, litter, bedding material, and feed. PM takes the form of “bacteria, fungi, fungal and bacterial spores, viruses, mammalian cellular fragments, pollens, and aeroallergens, toxins, and particulate waste products.”[4]

Workers on poultry farms breathe in poultry dust (also containing bird residues, molds, and feathers) which is known to produce asthma and a wide range of respiratory symptoms.[5] Factory farms raising hogs, poultry, and beef cattle are associated with a higher rate of chronic bronchitis symptoms, especially on medium and large operations.[6]

Ammonia emissions are also damaging to workers in and around confinement barns.[7,8] They are particularly high in poultry houses and pig barns.[9-11]

 

  1. Sigsgaard, T., et al., (2020). Respiratory diseases and allergy in farmers working with livestock: a EAACI position paper. Clinical and Translational Allergy, 10(1), 1, p. 1. [“The increased risks of respiratory disease, including work-related (WR) asthma, rhinitis, and enhanced lung-function decline compatible with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have been well-recognized and summarized in the 80s and 90s…Although general recommendations to lower exposure levels have been published, there is little evidence that these have been effectively implemented, and the risks of respiratory health problems in farmers may have remained high.”] 
  2. Heederik, D., et al., (2007). Health Effects of Airborne Exposures from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(2), 298–302.
  3. May, S., et al., (2012). Respiratory health effects of large animal farming environments. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 15(8), 524-541, p. 13. [“… large animal farming is a strong risk factor toward the development of occupational asthma diseases.”]
  4. U.S. EPA (2004) Risk Assessment Evaluation for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, EPA/600/R-04/042, pp. 68-69.
  5. Viegas, S., et al., (2013). Occupational exposure to poultry dust and effects on the respiratory system in workers. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 76(4-5), 230-239, p. 230. [“Data thus show that poultry farm workers are more prone to suffer from respiratory ailments and this may be attributed to higher concentrations of PM found in the dust.”]  
  6. Rinsky, J. L., et al., (2019). Animal production, insecticide use and self-reported symptoms and diagnoses of COPD, including chronic bronchitis, in the Agricultural Health Study. Environment International, 127, 764–772, p. 765. [“ Organic dust and endotoxin levels in animal production facilities are associated with increased prevalence of COPD manifestations including chronic cough and phlegm, chronic bronchitis, and airway obstruction had approximately 60% greater odds of chronic bronchitis symptoms.”]
  7. Zhao, L., et al., (2014) Ammonia Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations and Its Impacts. Ohio State University Extensions. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/AEX-723.1
  8. Gosia Wozniacka (2022) ‘I Was Coughing So Hard I Would Throw Up.’ Civil Eats. https://civileats.com/2022/11/15/animal-agriculture-workers-say-they-cant-breath-respiratory-health-cafos-ppe/
  9. Naseem, S. & King, A. J. (2018). Ammonia production in poultry houses can affect health of humans, birds, and the environment—techniques for its reduction during poultry production. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 25(16), 15269, p. 15271. [“Respiratory symptoms during and after work in poultry houses has increased in recent years. All studies showed acute and chronic effects on poultry workers’ health.”]
  10. Cole, D., et al., (2000). Concentrated Swine Feeding Operations and Public Health: A Review of Occupational and Community Health Effects. Environmental Health Perspectives, 108(8), 685–699. 
  11. See, Animal Ag Ammonia & PM2.5

Working in manure storage facilities can be deadly. Manure storage and handling is the second largest category of agricultural confined space injuries after grain storage and handling.[1]

Data gathered by Purdue’s Agricultural Confined Spaces-related Incident Database (PACSID) between 1975 and 2021, found that 288 people died in and around waste storage facilities. Most incidents happened around “underground and underfloor manure storage facilities, above ground manure storage tanks, sump pits, ponds, lagoons, manure digesters, and manure transport vehicles such as portable tankers, applicators and spreaders.”[2] Dozens of cases involved multiple victims. An analysis of incidents in 2017 alone identified 21 fatalities associated with manure storage and handling.[3]

One long-term study found that almost a quarter of those fatally injured entered a manure storage facility to rescue another person.[4]

 

  1. Cheng, Y. et al., (May 2023) 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities, Purdue University Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, p. 3. https://www.purdue.edu/engineering/ABE/agconfinespaces/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2022-Summary-of-US-Ag-Confined-Space-5-26-23.pdf
  2. Cheng, Y. et al., (May 2023), p. 11.
  3. Nour, et al., (2019). Development of methodology to document and code farm-related injuries and fatalities involving manure storage, handling and transport – with summary of 2017 incidents. Journal of Agromedicine, 24(1), 90–100, p. 92.
  4. Beaver, R. L., & Field, W. E. (2007). Summary of documented fatalities in livestock manure storage and handling facilities-1975-2004. Journal of Agromedicine, 12(2), 3-23.

In manure storage systems used on livestock farms, especially dairy and pig farms, the stored waste undergoes fermentation. This digestive process creates a variety of dangerous emissions and “can expose farm workers to toxic gas, oxygen deficient atmosphere, fire, explosion, mechanical, and drowning hazards.”[1] Chronic respiratory illnesses are widespread for workers exposed to released gases. And in close proximity, death by asphyxiation can occur.[2] Indeed, numerous fatalities have occurred from merely entering or falling into a manure pit or lagoon.[3,4]

Workers can also be exposed to pathogens, chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, metals, and allergens in manure and wastewater.[5] An accounting of the wide range of stressors that enter air and water from concentrated manure is long and complex.[6]

 

  1. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2021) Working Safely Around Manure Storage Structures, https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA4166.pdf
  2. Nour, M. et al., (2019). Development of methodology to document and code farm-related injuries and
    fatalities involving manure storage, handling and transport – with summary of 2017 incidents. Journal of Agromedicine, 24(1), 90–100, p. 91.
  3. Nour, M. et al., (2019), p. 92.
  4. Oesterhelweg, L. & Püschel, K. (2008). Death may come on like a stroke of lightening: Phenomenological and morphological aspects of fatalities caused by manure gas. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 122(2), 101–107.
  5. CDC, NIOSH, USDA (2018) Interim Guidance for Protecting Workers from Livestock and Poultry Wastewater and Sludge During and After Floods, C296664-A https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/59235
  6. U.S. EPA (2004) Risk Assessment Evaluation for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, EPA/600/R-04/042.

Yes. Working with dairy cattle subjects workers to two of the biggest dangers on factory farms: close proximity to large animals and enclosed manure storage systems. These risks are often heightened for workers with limited experience and training, many of whom are non-English speaking immigrants with a fear or distrust of authorities.[1,2] The dairy industry has a particularly high level of immigrant labor.[3]

In a Michigan study of all farm-related injuries, dairy accounted for the highest percentage of cases for which the type of farm was recorded (40%).[4] In a survey of immigrant dairy farmworkers in New York, two thirds experienced one or more injuries while on the job; 68% of those injured said the damage was serious enough to require medical attention.[5] An analysis of the working and living conditions of immigrant workers in the New York dairy industry offers details on their injuries, with animal interactions the most prevalent cause.[6]

Because many dairy farms use family members as labor, not considered employees by OSHA, and the rate of undocumented workers is high, many injuries go unreported.[7-9]

 

  1. Liebman, A.K. et al., (2016). Immigrant dairy workers’ perceptions of health and safety on the farm in America’s Heartland: Immigrant Farm Workers’ Perceptions on Health and Safety. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 59(3), 227–235.
  2. U.S. Dept. of Labor, OIG (2018) OSHA Need to Improve the Guidance for its Fatality and Severe Injury Reporting Program to Better Protect Workers, Rpt No. 02-18-203-10-105, p. 6.
  3. Center for North American Studies (2020) A National Survey of Hiring, Compensation and Employee Treatment Practices on U.S. Dairy Farms, Rpt 2020-1. https://nationaldairyfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Nationwide-Dairy-Labor-Survey_FARM-Workforce-Development.pdf# [Finding an average of over 53% of U.S. dairy farms had employees whose native language is not English]
  4. Kica, J. & Rosenman, K. D. (2020). Multisource surveillance for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries. Journal of Agromedicine, 25(1), 86–95, table 2, p. 91.
  5. Carly Fox, et al., (2017). Milked: Immigrant Dairy Farmworkers in New York State. A report by the Workers’ Center of Central New York and the Worker Justice Center of New York, p. 11. https://milkedny.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/milked_053017.pdf
  6. Sexsmith, K. (2022). The embodied precarity of year-round agricultural work: health and safety risks among Latino/a immigrant dairy farmworkers in New York. Agriculture and Human Values, 39(1), 357–370, Table 2, p. 365.
  7. Ribera, L. et al., (March 2020) A National Survey of Hiring, Compensation and Employee Treatment Practices on U.S. Dairy Farms, Center for North American Studies. Table 6.  https://nationaldairyfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Nationwide-Dairy-Labor-Survey_FARM-Workforce-Development.pdf
  8. Goldman, S. et al., (2021) Essential and in Crises: A Review of the Public Health Threats Facing Farmworkers in the U.S., John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, pp. 21-22, 48-49.
  9. For the many reasons why dairy and other CAFO workers’ injuries go underreported, see, Undercounts of Injury & Illness for Animal Ag Workers

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