Table 11.

Outcome table on ‘Electrical killing’

Hazard (see Section 3.3.2.1)	Welfare consequence/s occurring to the cattle due to the hazard	Hazard origin/s	Hazard origin specification	Preventive measure/s for the hazard (implementation of SOP)	Corrective measure/s for the hazard
Restraint	Pain, fear	Staff	Presentation of cattle to the method is required	Use optimal restraint according to the size of the animal	None
Wrong placement of the electrodes	Pain, fear	Staff, equipment	Too fast operation, equipment does not suit the size of cattle Lack of skilled operator Improper or lack of restraint	Staff training Appropriate restraint Choose the right size equipment Slow down the process Choose the right size equipment	Stun using correct placement or use a back‐up killing method
Poor electrical contact	Pain, fear	Staff, equipment	Lack of skilled operators, staff fatigue; incorrect placement of the electrodes; poorly designed, constructed and maintained equipment; intermittent contact	Staff training; staff rotation; ensure correct presentation of the cattle, ensure correct maintenance of the equipment; ensure the equipment includes electrodes for different sized animals; ensure continuous contact between the electrodes and the pigs;ensure regular calibration of equipment, regular cleaning of the electrode with a wire brush	Stun the animal correctly or use a back‐up killing method
Too short exposure time	Pain, fear	Staff	Lack of skilled operators, too fast operation	Staff training Slow down the process ensure a timer is built in the stunner to monitor the time of exposure or use of a visual or auditory warning system to alert the operator	Stun using correct exposure time or use a back‐up killing method
Inappropriate electrical parameters	Pain, fear	Staff, equipment	Wrong choice of electrical parameters or equipment; poor or lack of calibration; voltage/current applied is too low; frequency applied is too high for the amount of current delivered; lack of skilled operators, lack of monitoring of stun quality; lack of adjustments to the settings to meet the requirements Poor maintenance and cleaning of the equipment	Only use 50 Hz frequency sine wave alternating current, ensure the voltage is sufficient to deliver minimum current; regular calibration and maintenance/cleaning of the equipment; staff training; consider the factors contributing to high electrical resistance and minimise/eliminate the source of high resistance; monitor stun quality routinely and adjust the equipment accordingly; use constant current source equipment; use wire brush to clean tongs regularly	Stun using correct parameters or use a back‐up killing method
Disposal of cattle while alive	Pain, fear	Staff	Lack of monitoring, too fast operation	Ensure death by proper monitoring of signs of life before disposal	Apply a killing method
ABMs: injuries (pain), vocalisations, escape attempts (pain, fear), signs of consciousness (as a prerequisite for experiencing pain and fear), signs of life (as a prerequisite to recover consciousness)