Table 21.

Outcome table on ‘Electrical stunning’

Hazard	Welfare consequence/s occurring to the animals due to the hazard	Hazard origin/s	Hazard origin specification	Preventive measures	Corrective measures
(Inappropriate) restraint (See Section 3.2.3.3)	Pain, fear	Staff, equipment, facility	Presentation of the animal to the method is required	Use optimal restraint according to the size of the animal	Keep the duration of restraint to the minimum Reduce the pressure
Wrong placement of the electrodes (See Section 3.2.3.3)	Pain, fear	Staff, equipment	Failure to adjust the equipment to suit the size of animal Lack of skilled operator Improper restraint	Adjust/synchronise the equipment Training of staff	Use of a back‐up method
Induction of cardiac arrest in conscious animals (See Section 3.2.3.3)	Pain, fear	Staff	Ineffective stunning or prolonged interval between the two current cycles	Ensure effective of stunning Apply cardiac arrest current cycle without any delay	Re‐stun the animal
Poor electrical contact (See Section 3.2.3.3)	Pain, fear	Staff, equipment	Lack of skilled operators Poorly designed, constructed and maintained equipment Intermittent contact Burning of the wool	Training of staff Ensure correct presentation of the animal Ensure correct maintenance of the equipment Ensure the equipment includes appropriately sized electrodes Ensure continuous contact between the electrodes and the head Ensure regular calibration of equipment Regular cleaning of the electrodes Wetting of the fleece/wool	Use of a back‐up method
Too short exposure time (See Section 3.2.3.3)	Pain, fear	Staff	Lack of skilled operators High throughput rate	Staff training Reduce throughput rate 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	Use of a back‐up method
Inappropriate electrical parameters (See Section 3.2.3.3)	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 to be delivered Lack of skilled operators Lack of adjustments to the settings to meet the requirements Poor maintenance and cleaning of the equipment	Use parameters appropriate to the frequency and waveforms of current Ensure the voltage is sufficient to deliver minimum current Regular calibration and maintenance of the equipment Training of 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 Clean the electrodes regularly	Use of a back‐up method
ABMs: vocalisations, escape attempts, grinding of teeth, curling of lips (pain, fear), signs of consciousness after stunning (as a prerequisite for experiencing pain and fear)