Needlesticks on the Farm

Reducing your risk when treating animals

As with any investment, it is counterproductive to pay for crop insurance and not take measures to protect your coverage. The best way to get the coverage you need and deserve out of your crop insurance policy is to practice accurate and consistent Treating animals can lead to injuries that result in lost work time, costly medical bills and long-term disabilities. Some of the most serious injuries sustained are needlesticks when treating animals. Self-injection or absorption of the medicine can result in injuries, illnesses and death.

Dangerous Treatments

Common animal treatments that present risks to human health include:

• Oxytocin
• Prostagladins (Lutalyse or Estrumate)
• Micotil (Tilmicosin)
• Eazi-Breed CIDR
• Medicines that present an allergy risk to you, such as penicillin
• Topical insecticides (python dust)
• Anti-parasite treatments (Eprinex)

Always read the literature that is included with these medicines and products for safe handling techniques and indications of risk.

Restrain the Animal

When you separate a sick or injured animal from the herd, it may become anxious. To avoid injury from the animal, take the following steps.

• Keep equipment near so you aren’t forced to reach across or under the animal to use it.
• Avoid standing where the animal is likely to kick. Stand on the opposite side of where the animal will experience pain.
• Lean next to the animal so that you are able to sense its movement.
• Avoid reaching through restraint equipment to give injections.

Handling Needles

When using needles, follow these safety guidelines.

• Keep needles capped whenever possible.
• Do not recap or reuse needles.
• Dispose of used needles in the appropriate disposal container.

In the Event of a Needlestick

• Report the injury to your supervisor immediately.
• Consult a doctor regarding the risk of contracting tetanus or the risk of allergy.
• Have emergency numbers memorized, in your cell phone or posted near the fixed phone.

Be safe and healthy on the job at with these helpful tips provided by Kingsgate Insurance.

You are at risk whenever dealing with an animal that is injured, sick, frightened, abused, threatened or handled by inexperienced workers.

Provided by Kingsgate Insurance

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice.
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