MANURE CAN BE A RISKY BUSINESS

by Devon Charlier

Spring on the farm brings much to do in a short amount of time. While manure is a valuable resource, its handling can be challenging. Spring into safety this season with the knowledge you need to prevent potential hazards.

Manure work can pose health and safety risks to humans. For example, livestock manure may contain zoonotic pathogens — germs that spread between animals and people. These can be passed to people directly, during manure handling or processing, or indirectly, through contaminated food products or water. In addition, equipment utilized during manure handling and transportation may be associated with entanglement and other injuries.

Manure gas can also be a problem, especially during storage and agitation. Manure gas is a name used for several different types of gasses formed by the decomposition of manure. Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) is particularly dangerous and lethal. At low concentrations (10 ppm), hydrogen sulfide can paralyze nerves so one can no longer smell it. Concentrations above 50 ppm will alter breathing, and concentrations over 500 ppm lead to death. Other manure gasses include ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide. At specific concentrations, all are toxic to animals and humans. In some situations, these gasses can displace enough oxygen in an environment so that a person entering the area asphyxiates (suffocates), leading to death.

In other cases, the gasses can cause long-term health issues. Many factors influence the health and safety hazards associated with this work, like temperature, humidity, and time in storage. The real concern is that it is difficult to judge how dangerous a situation is just by looking at it, as manure gasses are invisible.

The risks are real

There have been several manure-related severe injuries and fatalities in the Upper Midwest. The “Telling the Story Project” has highlighted some of these incidents, including:

• Mike Biadasz’s devastating death due to hydrogen sulfide exposure while agitating manure in the open lagoon on his family’s Wisconsin operation.

• Jason Fevold’s exposure to manure gas while on a “tractor date” with his wife, Roxy, on their Iowa farm.

• Jerry Nelson’s close call with a manure pump on his family’s dairy farm in South Dakota.

These stories emphasize the potential for danger during manure handling. To better understand the nature of manure applicators’ experience with injuries and illnesses, the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) asked them about their work. Along with the University of Minnesota Extension, we surveyed 162 commercial manure applicators.

Out in the field

In our findings, 20% or 33 participants reported at least one symptom of gas exposure, like headache, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting while applying manure.

Those who entered confined spaces or worked with swine manure had higher odds of reporting one of these symptoms. About 14% of respondents believed they had been overexposed to manure gasses during their work, especially when manure was being agitated, stored, or when working with little ventilation or air movement. While these symptoms may have other work-related causes, toxic gas inhalation is a major hazard of any work involving confined spaces.

Injury was reported by 9% or 14 participants. The injuries were mostly minor, but a handful required emergency room and doctor office visits. Folks indicated various causes, including being struck by equipment, cuts, fatigue from long hours, and poor ergonomics while applying manure.

Manure applicators said that they worked long hours. Survey respondents worked an average of 18.3 hours per day during the busy season. Of this, 17 hours were applying manure. Application timing depends on environmental conditions. There can be busy seasons and short windows when conditions are appropriate for applying manure. We also received multiple responses specifically sharing concerns about long hours and fatigue. These findings are worrisome as fatigue and reduced sleep can be associated with impairments and even injuries at work.

Steps for safer handling

Managing manure can certainly be a dangerous job. However, steps can be taken to handle it safely.

1. Limit entry to storage areas. Fencing, locked gates, and warning signs can prevent unauthorized access to storage areas. Move animals away from manure areas before agitation or pumping. Avoid entering confined spaces unless absolutely necessary. If someone is overcome with gas, do not attempt to go in after them. Call emergency responders and only allow someone to enter when they have an oxygen source.

2. Ensure ventilation before and during pumping and while working nearby.

3. Check for fire hazards. Disconnect any electrical equipment or ignition sources. Do not smoke near manure storages or while handling manure.

4. Use a gas monitoring system to help monitor the hazards relevant to your operation and take proper precautions when the system alarms.

5. Work in teams, with at least two people present during any manure handling.

6. Check all signal and brake lights on equipment used for road transportation to ensure they are working properly.

7. Use proper application techniques and follow the rules regarding setbacks to prevent spills, especially when applying manure near sensitive areas. Note that any personnel transporting manure should have biosecurity training to prevent the spread of livestock diseases between farms.

8. Plan ahead to prevent fatigue and stay prepared in case of an emergency.

UMASH offers supportive resources to help farmers do their work safely. Our “Farm Safety Checklists” provide a quick review to identify and fix potential hazards before they cause harm to you, your family, or your employees.

UMASH offers checklists for over 40 topics, including manure management. This information can be found at umash.umn.edu.

Consider these tips and resources as you work this spring. Share them with someone you know and care about! ■

Want to learn even more? Here are some of our favorite resources from our partners to help you stay safe during manure work:

• Webinar: Worker Safety in Animal Production Systems — Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community (LPELC); https://bit.ly/farmworkersafety

• Resource: Manure Gas Safety — Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health; https://bit.ly/manuregas

• Resource: Safety Considerations for Manure Handling — University of Wisconsin Extension; https://bit.ly/manuresafety

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ƒ Hard face seal with run-dry seal protection

With an 8” discharge, 10” suction and 3.5” solids handing, and built for high-operating pressures, MP pumps are specifically designed for coarse-abrasive slurry applications. Constructed of high chrome iron, with a Brinell hardness rating above 650.

Talk with your authorized Cornell dealer about finding the best model for your application.