By: Margaret A. Bell, Livestock Agent
Craven & Jones Counties
Adapted from “Safe Animal
Handling, Pork Checkoff and Pork Information Gateway Fact Sheet.”
There are many opportunities for workers to get hurt while
handling swine. This could happen at any age and stage of the pig, when the
worker is moving pigs, unloading / loading pigs, and processing pigs. In this
article, we will discuss different responsibilities of workers and how to avoid
being injured while performing their duties.
General
When pigs are being transported, they become very stressed.
They should be moved as quickly, quietly, and efficiently as possible. However,
you don’t want to move the pigs too fast, as to cause injury to either the pigs
or the handler. Pigs have a range of vision that spans almost 360 degrees, so
it is a good idea to have chutes and ramps with solid sidewalls so they will
not get distracted. In addition, pigs have a tendency to move to well-lit areas
from dimmer areas. Many producers will put spotlights onto a ramp so pigs will
move more easily. Always move pigs in a manageable size group. For example,
when you are moving pigs into the nursery, do not move more than 20 pigs at the
time. When entering the finishing barn, do not move more than 10 pigs at the
time. When you are leaving the finishing barn, do not move more than five pigs
at the time (think about how big they are now!). When you are moving breeding
stock, do not move more than five pigs at the time. Most of the injuries on hog farms happen when handlers are interacting
with pigs. There are several items to keep in mind to avoid injuries. You
should know the characteristics of the pigs hearing and vision, maintain clean
and organized houses, and when you are around the pigs, stay calm and touch
them gently. Don’t move quickly or expose the pigs to loud noises, clutter
alleyways, or overcrowd chutes / pens.
Farrowing
In the farrowing barn, workers must be careful with various
hazards as well. These include power washing, electrocution, fires, and
stressed animals. Always pay close attention to plugs, cords, and electrical
outlets. Employees should receive proper training on how to safely work with
electrical fixtures. Make sure to always replace temporary cords with permanent
cords. It is also important if you wash sows to be very careful. Be aware of
where you place yourself in relation to the animal.
Processing
During processing, there are many potential hazards that
could affect the well-being of the workers. These include needle sticks, cuts,
punctures, etc. while giving shots, clipping teeth, cutting tails, ear
notching, castrating, and tattooing. Ensure workers are taking ample breaks to
reduce fatigue as well as properly handling and holding the animals.
Injecting Pigs
Many times workers will injure themselves when they are
injecting sows in crates by getting their hands caught between the crate and
the sow. Immediately report any accidental injection or antibiotic injections
to the supervisor. When injecting pigs, try to keep your hands in a neutral position,
always read labels, and only use products the way they are meant to be used.
Don’t carry needles in your pockets or put your hands between a sow and the
crate.
Breeding
Many injuries occur because of boars. Injuries to the boar
could occur do to slippery floors. The boar could also become aggressive if
other boars are around or if he has trouble mounting the sow. When workers are
breeding animals, they should always use sorting panels, be able to get out of
a specific area quickly, not be in between the boar and the sow, and make sure
the boar’s tusks are removed. When removing dead animals, try to get them out
as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it is to move them. Do not
pull or strain your muscles pulling a dead pig out. It is helpful to use a hog
cart or a hand truck before using only human assistance. Keep pens clean and
dry when breeding pigs and always watch out for the boar. Don’t sit down to
collect semen or stand too close to the boar.
Weaning and Nursery
Always keep animals in a small, manageable group and get
assistance when possible to move or lift animals. Try not to lift pigs alone
and if you have to then position yourself parallel to the pig you’re lifting.
Always use good lifting techniques as to not injure your back.
Finisher
Make sure you properly load and unload animals in the
finishing house, as they could be nearing 300 pounds at this stage of life.
Always use sorting panels and don’t try to stop pigs from getting past you with
your knees. Try to remain calm and only load small groups at one time. Pigs are
harder to handle, the more stressed they are.
