Safety advice issued with calving in full swing
© Diane/Adobe Stock Cows at calving or when freshly calved pose an increased risk to farmers, family members and staff, health and safety experts in Northern Ireland have warned, as spring calving gathers pace.
People are required to work more closely with animals, often in confined spaces at a time when cows can be more protective of their newborn offspring, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has warned. Â
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The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland added that, on average, at least one farmer is killed each year around calving time, while others are injured, often seriously.
The organisation urged farmers to stop and think before they carry out tasks around cattle at calving to ensure they are doing it in the safest way possible.Â
Among its advice it urged farmers to have an escape route planned and warned them never to turn their back on cattle.
Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland calving safety advice
Never:
- Turn your back on a cow or heifer at calving time
- Put yourself or a colleague at risk with cattle
- Stress or arouse cattle unnecessarily
- Beat or shout at cattle unnecessarily.
Always:
- Watch for warning signs of animal aggression, especially in cows and heifers at calving time
- Work out an escape route or refuge in advance of handling livestock
- Be careful around cows and heifers with newborn calves
- Remember that cows on heat are unpredictable
- Where possible, use a head gate to restrain a cow or heifer when checking the calf
- Try to have help available when calving a cow or heifer
- Try to keep cattle calm when working with them.