Cow-Related Injuries in Wisconsin During 2017-2023

Details

• Journal Article:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• Personal Author:
  Modji, Komi K. S. ; McCoy, Katherine E. ; Creswell, Paul D. ; Collin, Morris R. ; Tomasallo, Carrie D. ; Bedno, Sheryl
• Description:
  Introduction: The dairy industry-a key industry for the economy-remains a potentially hazardous industry across the nation. The literature on animal-related injuries in the agriculture industry is sparse. This analysis aimed to describe cow-related injuries, the utilization of workers' compensation, and the circumstances of the injuries. Methods: This mixed methods analysis of agricultural injuries focused on cow-related injuries in hospital discharge and workers' compensation data during 2017-2023. Cases, aged 12 or older, were identified in the hospital discharge data using ICD10-CM codes. Cow-related claim injury narratives and industry and occupation data were extracted from workers' compensation data. Results: During 2017-2023, cow-related injuries represented 13.1% (n = 2659) of agricultural injuries and were the second most predominant cause of work-related agricultural injuries. These injury figures were stable, compared to a downward trend of non-cow-related injuries (p = 0.01). Young workers (12-34 years) and Hispanic workers had the highest burden for cow-related injuries. The top five body parts affected by cow injuries were the upper (24%) and lower (23%) extremities, other head, face, and neck (22.1%), chest (15.2%), and traumatic brain injury (5.1%). Workers' compensation was used in 28.5% of cases identified in the hospital discharge data. Animal handling, lack of farm worker safety measures, and equipment safety were identified as factors associated with cow-related injuries. Conclusion: This analysis identified a surprising number of cow-related injuries, including some life-threatening injuries. It is important to continue to promote safety measures and injury prevention best-practices to ensure worker well-being and farm productivity.
• Subjects:
  Agricultural Cattle Occupational Health Safety Workers' Compensation
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Agriculture; Cow; Dairy; Injury; Surveillance Dairy Products; Animal Products Workers; Injuries; Workers Compensation; Young Workers; Agricultural Workers; Agricultural Safety; Safety Measures; Animal Handlers;
• Source:
  Am J Ind Med 2025 Oct; 68(10):856-866
• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Wisconsin ; Chicago Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  11 pdf pages
• Volume:
  68
• Issue:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071342
• Email:
  komi.modji@dhs.wisconsin.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• Performing Organization:
  Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20150701
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1096f5b0625b6d2a321b783753b082c6ed799afb94508fdb1906092ca99b20b6102229ab06ae9cb7123091cc76587ff7bb5a1e7f46272c6931f0d437a23f3da2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/258817/cdc_258817_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 472.56 KB ]