Occupational accidents involving animals and plants: Descriptive observational study of cases recorded at the Grand Ouest poison control center between 2012 and 2022

Introduction. - In France, the number of occupational accidents and illnesses remains underestimated. Among the populations most at risk, the DARES Synth & egrave;se Stat report in August 2021 cited temporary workers, construction workers, farmers, foresters and fishermen. One of the reasons given for this is the worker's lack of knowledge of the risks incurred at the workplace, and insufficient training in the appropriate means of prevention. To our knowledge, very little data exists in France on the involvement of animals and plants in occupational accidents. The aim of our study was to describe cases of occupational accidents involving an animal or plant, specifying the names of the animals and plants involved, the occupations exposed, the circumstances of exposure and the type of collective and individual prevention used at the time of the accident. Materials and methods. - To this end, we conducted an observational, retrospective study between 2012 and 2022 of all cases of occupational accidents involving animals or plants that had been the subject of a teleconsultation at the Grand Ouest antipoison center of the CHU in Angers. Results. - Two hundred and forty four cases were extracted from the Base nationale des cas d'intoxication (BNCI), supplied by all French poison control centers. The average age of the victims was 36. Our sample included 187 men (76.6%) and 57 women (23.4%), giving a sex ratio of 3.3:1. The 25-49 age group accounted for 57.8% of cases ( n = 141). Sixty-nine different agents were involved, including 39 animals and 30 plants. Discussion. - This study has enabled us to better identify the causes of occupational accidents, and consequently to promote their primary prevention. During the periodic information and prevention visit (VIP i), this involves better informing and raising awareness among new workers of the various risks involved, the need to wear appropriate PPE and to avoid risky gestures.