The latest figures released from the HSE indicate 42 people were killed in agriculture in 2020/21, with 11 people killed in incidents involving cattle (including a water buffalo bull). Below are a few guidelines that may help prevent any further fatalities.
Prior to starting work
Before working with livestock take a moment to Stop and Think!
Think about what you can do if there is a problem. Where animals are not restrained, always check that there is somewhere safe you can easily reach if an animal becomes aggressive. Work out an escape route or refuge before working with cattle.
Think about the animals you are working with. The risk is increased if the animals have not been handled frequently. Bulls and recently calved cows also need particular care.
Think about what you are going to do. Agitated or stressed animals are more likely to be dangerous. Certain tasks, such as veterinary work, may also increase the risk.
Think about how you will do the work safely. Attempting to carry out stock tasks on unrestrained cattle, or with makeshift equipment is particularly hazardous. It increases your risk of injury but also causes distress to the animals and wastes valuable time. Be safe – make sure you have the right equipment.
Remember to think about others who may be hurt; family, employees, visitors such as vets, when handling your cattle. Make sure workers are trained and competent. Never put an inexperienced handler or a child at risk with cattle.
Handling facilities
Every farm that handles cattle should have proper handling facilities, which are well maintained and in good working order.
Collecting pens, the forcing pen and race should be designed to promote cattle movement, while protecting workers from being crushed. Gates should be properly hung so that they can open fully against a pen wall. Floor surfaces need to be slip-resistant and in good condition for both the stock and stockman’s benefit.
It is essential that you have a gate to prevent cattle charging forward when you are working in the rear of the crush.
The crush must be secured to the ground or, if mobile, to a suitable vehicle. It needs to be sited so that there is a cattle-free working area around it.
Never attempt to treat or work on any animal that is held by gates alone, or is free to move at will. Cattle should not be able to enter the area beside the crush while someone is working.
Managing bulls
The hazards of bulls are well known. Following some simple steps can help reduce risks. From an early age the bull should learn to associate people with feeding, grooming or exercise.
All bulls should be ringed at 10 months old and all dairy bulls should be kept in a purpose-built bullpen. Never enter the pen when the bull is loose. Safety signs should also be erected warning of the presence of a bull at the entrance to any building where a bull is kept.
Culling aggressive cattle
Cattle that are known to be aggressive or difficult, pose a continued risk. Animals that have attacked once are more likely to do so again. Culling these cattle at an abattoir is always the safest course. Cattle known to be dangerous should not be sold through a mart or direct to other farmers.
The Stop and Think checklist
The following helpful tips will help keep you safe on the farm.
Always:
- Make sure handlers are competent and agile
- Work out an escape route or refuge before working with cattle
- Be careful around cows and heifers with new-born calves
- Remember that cows that are ‘on heat’ are unpredictable
- Try to keep cattle calm when handling them
- Use a stick to assist in directing cattle
- Disbud calves early to prevent horn growth
- Watch for warning signs of animal aggression, especially in bulls and newly calved cows and heifers
- Cull aggressive and difficult cattle as soon as possible
- Use well-designed facilities
- Regularly check and maintain facilities such as the crush, gates and fences
- Keep ground surfaces clean, as far as possible
- Protect yourself against disease with proper personal hygiene
Never:
- Put an inexperienced handler or a child at risk with cattle
- Turn your back on a bull or trust a bull
- Stress or arouse cattle unnecessarily
- Turn your back on a cow following calving
- Keep dangerous cattle
- Beat or shout at cattle unnecessarily – they remember bad experiences
Remember, if you have fields with rights of way or other permitted public access, make sure:
- You do not keep bulls of recognised dairy breeds in fields with footpaths
- You assess the temperament of any cattle kept in fields with public access, and remove from the group any with a history of aggression, or that may be aggressive because of illness, young calves etc
- If you keep beef stock bulls in such fields, that they are accompanied by female stock and you put up suitable signs
- You consider whether it is reasonably practicable to temporarily fence rights of way so that cattle cannot access them