Kicks

Due to the milker being below the dairy cow during milking, the risk of getting a kick, especially to the head, is quite high.

This can result in a serious injury. In order to lessen this risk, you should be mindful never to put your head under the rump rail or your arm between the rump rail and the cow’s legs.

Kicks are more likely when the lower bar of the rump rail is too far from the cow, so these should be kept close in a well-designed parlour.

The cows which are likely to pose higher risks to your safety should be identified.

More care should be taken around these cows. First-calved heifers are the most likely to kick, along with cows that are in discomfort or sick. Heifers should be kept close together during milking to avoid too much movement.

Stray electricity can cause cows to become agitated and frightened, even cows that are usually docile.

This is caused by differences in voltage between the ground and installed equipment.

Always make nervous cows aware of your presence before touching their teats to clean them, or put on the clusters.

Nervous cows can also pose a risk when they are being moved in and out of the parlour, especially if they feel cornered.

Falling

Although they rarely cause major long-term injuries, slips, trips and falls are a very common cause of accidents and injuries on farms.

Slippery floors in the parlour are a large contributing factor.

Smooth concrete floors may be slippery due to dirt being tracked into the parlour by cows.

Water used for washing will pose a risk if drainage in the passage is poor and water is left lying on the floor. Lying water also causes the growth of algae.

For this reason, drains should be kept unblocked and functional, the passage should be kept clean and boots which provide good grip should be worn.

Mats can also be placed on the floor in high-risk areas or concrete can be grooved to improve grip.

Trips are generally as a result of hoses used for washing and general equipment being left on the floor when not in use.

The milking parlour should be kept neat and tidy at all times to avoid this.

Hoses should be secured to the walls and kept out of the way when not in use. Ensure the parlour has good lighting to allow potential trip hazards to be seen and avoided.

Drains in the parlour should have grates installed, damaged concrete should be repaired and any open water tanks should be covered.

Chemicals

Chemicals such as teat spray and detergents are important in the milking parlour.

When these are handled incorrectly, chemical splash is a risk. Personal protective equipment in the form of face protection, goggles and gloves are vital when handling chemicals.

It is a good idea to ensure that all chemicals are well-labelled. Attention should be paid to the labels and usage instructions should be followed. Extra care should be taken with chemicals, which have a very high or very low pH as these are highly corrosive.

Repetitive strain injuries

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are caused by repetitive movement and overuse of muscles and tendons. These can be an issue due to the amount of time spent milking each day and the repetitive nature of the tasks involved.

This is especially relevant for farmers with large herds and no employees or additional help.

Frequent symptoms of RSIs are back and wrist pain. It is important to alternate which hand is used to put the cluster on and also to avoid working to fatigue.

Breaks should be taken when needed. In order to allow the body to recover, avoid working at a speed that can’t be maintained and working under stress.

An excessively long working day should also be avoided. In a well-designed parlour, the milker should not have to bend their back too much to put on the clusters which can reduce the risk of back pain.

When an ongoing injury occurs, a long-term break from the activity causing it may be needed to allow it to heal.