Farmers warned over calving and slurry safety risks

Cattle farmers have been urged to ensure staff understand and adhere to safety procedures during the busy spring calving period.

The warning, issued by the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), explained that while livestock work was always dangerous, risks were heightened during the intense calving period.

Even though it is a busy time, farmers should still stop and think to ensure they are carrying out a task in the safest way possible, a UFU spokesperson said.

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It only takes a spilt second for a life-changing or fatal accident to occur, the spokesperson added.

The UFU and Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) have released a “Stop and think Safe” bulletin with tips and advice for farms at calving.

Always:

• Prepare an escape route or refuge in advance of handling
• Watch for signs of animal aggression, especially in cows and heifers
• Take extra care around cattle with newborn calves
• Use a head gate to restrain a cow when checking the calf
• Arrange to have help available when calving a cow
• Keep cattle calm when working with them
• Cull out aggressive and difficult cattle as soon as possible
• Use hygiene measures to protect staff from disease

Never:

• Turn away from a cow around calving time
• Stress or rile cattle unnecessarily
• Beat or shout at cattle unnecessarily – they remember bad experiences.

Slurry spreading

The HSENI has also warned farmers of increased dangers of slurry handling at this time of year.

The last day of January marks the end of the closed period for slurry spreading in the province and farmers will soon begin to fill tankers to take to the fields, an HSENI official said.

But slurry gases could kill quickly, and handling, either through asphyxiation from toxic fumes or drowning in stores and lagoons, is the fourth highest cause of deaths in farm accidents.

Farmers must stop and think before working with or near slurry and make preparations to do the whole task safely, the official added.

Vital preparations include checking that the tractor and tanker are in good repair. And where tankers have to be positioned above the tank, ensure the slats can take the weight, particularly if using new, heavier machinery.

Also think about ensuring all openings are covered to prevent a fall into the slurry tank, while keeping children and animals away, the official said