Stock
Stock create a risk of injury during movement within farm, and between farms, loading/lifting onto trucks/trailers, drafting, and when securing young stock, dry stock, and milking cows.
Leave gates how you found them unless your task involves changing them
Avoid working with stock unless it is part of your task.
Injury may be from animals kicking, charging or causing collision with vehicles - particularly on public roads. Lifting stock may also cause injury.
Good handling practices are used to minimise the risk of injury when picking up calves:
No more than twenty calves in the big trailer and ten calves in the small trailer.
All calves are picked up prior to drafting.
Watch the cow when picking up a calf.
Use the appropriate vehicle - the tractor is used to tow the trailer in wet conditions and the appropriate trailer is matched to the expected number of calves.
Use good lifting technique.
Good practice minimises risk of injury when loading stock onto trucks:
Follow the truck drivers directions - ensure stock cannot enter the unit until the driver is out.
Don't get into stock unit crates.
Load correct number of animals advised by the driver.
Don't overload pens or races in the yards. Ensure animals in pens can still turn around.
Have a minimal number of people in the pen with the animals to reduce risk of crushing.
Keep an escape route in mind at all times.
Drafting cows in paddocks:
Only one or two trained senior staff on bikes.
One designated person on the gate.
Other people on foot should minimise distance moved to reduce risk of collision with vehicles when the drivers are focussed on the animals.
If an animal is stressed use extra caution.
Moving stock on the road:
Minimum of three people.
Pilot vehicle in front (three times the speed limit - i.e. if speed limit is 100kph then the vehicle must be 300m ahead). Use rotating beacon and STOCK sign.
One bike blocking driveways and gates.
One vehicle following stock.
Pilot vehicle behind if road is busy or has poor visibility.
Use reels to block driveways where possible.
Check route immediately before moving stock.
Obtain free permit from council.
Allow enough time.
High visibility vests must be worn (stored in cow shed).