Slips and trips
Slips and trips are one of the most common accidents when working in farm dairies. They often happen when working with cows in a dairy during milking, and during maintenance and cleaning.

The following three hazards make it more likely that employees will slip or trip:
1. Surfaces which are wet or dirty
• Have a system for cleaning up milk, oil, cleaning fluid and grain spills as soon as they happen, and make sure it is followed.
• Install non-slip mats in wet work areas and make sure that footwear is slip-resistant.

2. Obstacles such as pipes or cables in the farm dairy
• Reduce tripping accidents by hanging hoses and pipes along walls out of people's way and remove unused fittings, like bolt fasteners in floors.
• Move obstacles from walkways and entrances where possible. Tripping hazards which cannot be removed should be clearly indicated with yellow tape. If there are obstacles overhead, these should be wrapped in padding to avoid risk of injury.

3. Steps which are too high or not deep enough, or steps in poorly lit areas
• Build steps properly and use non-slip surfaces.
• Handrails should also be fitted.
• The provision of good lighting can also help to reduce the risk of injury.

Lifting and carrying
The following tasks pose risks to dairy workers:
• lifting buckets of grain, water and milk
• lifting calves.

Managing the hazards
• Balance the load by using two buckets, one in each hand.
• Where possible, use trolleys and other mechanical aids to replace manual tasks.

Milking by hand
Specific tasks in milking which cause injury are:
• bending in an awkward position
• putting on and removing milking equipment from cows.

Managing the hazards
• Think about designing or changing the milking area so workers can change the height they are working at to suit them. Ensure that all equipment needed is close by to avoid workers having to overreach or adopt a bending position.
• Alternate between jobs to reduce repetitious manual handling tasks, including a rotation between putting on and removing milking equipment.