Detergents

There is a risk of chemical splash when dispensing detergent sterilisers and acid for milking machine wash. Always wear gloves and eye goggles when handling chemicals. You should use a hand pump dispenser and a measuring jug when dispensing the chemicals.

Trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls account for approximately one-fifth of all reported non-fatal injuries, according to the Health and Safety Authority. In milking parlours, there is a lot of loose dangling equipment (clusters, hoses, etc). This greatly increases the likelihood of getting caught which can lead to the farmer tripping up, causing potential long-term injuries, especially among older farmers. Also, parlour floors can become slippery over time so ensure they are cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of green scum which can cause the floor to become very slippy.

Dairy farmers can spend anywhere between three and five hours a day, 10 to 12 months a year in the parlour, so a safe milking environment is important for the general wellbeing of the farmer, their family and their employees.

Electricity

It goes without saying that all electrical equipment must be kept in good repair. Updating lighting in older facilities increases visibility and should be adequate for both day and night operations. Seek experienced advice on avoiding electric shock hazards in the milking parlour. Make sure fuse boxes, switches, and electrical outlets in wet areas are moisture proof.

Livestock handling

Any experienced milker will tell you that getting a kick is just part of the job when it comes to life in the parlour. More often than not, you will get away with a simple bump or a bruise, but it is not unheard of for serious injury to occur as a result of a cow lashing out in the parlour which results in broken bones. This can put the victim out of work for an extended period of time. Generally, it will be heifers that are nervous in their new environment or cows with sore teats. These animals should be identified and extra care taken around them. Never put your arm/head between these animals and the rump rail. If possible, get assistance from someone else when milking these animals by getting the other person to hold their tail or if this is not an option, a kicking bar can also be used. Also, care should be taken when going into the collecting yard to push cows into the parlour as they might become unsettled at your presence and more likely to lash out. Extra precautions should be taken at the start of the milking year, which is just around the corner.

Repetitive strain injury

Milking by its very nature involves repetitive use of the same muscles over and over again, which over time can lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI).

RSI is common in dairy farmers but by the time the condition is diagnosed it is too late to correct it. Back and shoulder pain are common symptoms.

One of the big causes is failure to change hands when attaching clusters leading to over-arching of your back and strain on shoulders and arms. Many dairy farmers end up with problems with their shoulders, backs and knees in later life and require surgery.

A key point is to switch the hands holding and attaching clusters depending on which side of the parlour you are working on. The hand holding the cluster should always be the hand closest to the front of the parlour. Attach cups in a circular motion, starting at the teat nearest the kerb.

Installing rubber mats on the floor of the parlour can reduce the impact of walking on hard surfaces on the knees, hips and back.