Some 300 farm inspections are planned in a Health and Safety Authority (HSA) campaign that will be focused on safe handling of livestock.

Last year one-third of the 18 people who died in farm accidents were killed in livestock-related incidents.

HSA senior inspector Pat Griffin urged farmers to take extra precautions.

“There’s no such thing as a quiet cow - any cow can attack,” he said.

“In many cases, too many chances are taken with freshly calved cows, and attacks by recently calved cows are a common cause of such incidents,” he said.

“Always keep a strong secure gate or barrier between you and the cow when handling or removing the newborn calf. Farmers should take every single precaution - including not turning their back on the cow - when handling a newborn calf.”

The HSA is urging every farmer to spend time looking at where cows calve and consider how easy it would be to protect themselves or escape should the cow turn nasty.

Griffin also urged farmers to have their calving facilities ready and have plenty of light around the sheds and farmyard to improve visibility and safety.

He also advised getting help if fatigue is a risk factor and always carrying a charged mobile with the first number being someone who can come to help.

Last year, 261 spring inspections resulted in 30 prohibition and improvement notices

Inspectors will be looking for adequate physical barriers between the farmer and the freshly calved cow, and urging farmers to have a secure loading area and invest in handling facilities, like cattle crushes, head scoops and calving gates.

Last year, 261 spring inspections resulted in 30 prohibition and improvement notices being issued, mostly related to PTO guards on tractors, slurry spreaders and other machinery. Another 162 written advice reports were issued, advising on animal handling and related issues.