Personal Safety

Dairy owners, managers, and producers have always prioritized safety, yet agriculture still ranks among the most hazardous industries. Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The most common hazards at dairy farm operations are associated with cattle handling, manure storage, and using machinery and equipment. Find resources on personal safety and prevention, including manure storage hazards and gas monitoring, farm equipment safety, and animal handling tips.

Dairy Cattle Handling and Safety

Animal handling best practices have to do with minimizing cows’ stress factors during moving cattle, feeding, milking, and cleaning stalls and beds. Handlers are advised to understand and use flight zones, avoid the cows' blind spots, approach livestock slowly, and speak calmly.

In this section, dairy producers can find more detailed information on how to use the flight zone and point of balance, and other animal handling tips.

This webinar provides advice on safe restraint methods for dairy cows and heifers. You can also access dairy safety training videos, aligned with AFNR standards.

A better understanding of animal behavior, establishing routines, moving slowly and deliberately, always having an escape route when working with animals in close quarters – all these can help avoid safety risks at dairy operations.

Gas Monitoring and Personal Safety

Another serious safety risk dairy livestock producers need to be always aware of is manure storage and gas monitoring. Dairy manure, especially in cases of gypsum bedding, can produce dangerously high levels of hydrogen sulfide.

Producers should take precautions, such as installing efficient ventilation systems and consider implementing gas monitoring systems. Additional information on facilities, ventilation systems, manure management, and gas monitors is available on this site.

Dairy Biosecurity

Protecting farmworkers, livestock, and pastures from infectious diseases is essential for any dairy operations. Farm managers should maintain biosecurity plans, including online training materials and videos. Biosecurity is about preventing, minimizing, and controlling cross-contamination of body fluids between animals and with equipment.

Look into Penn State Extension resources on biosecurity and prevention. You can also access the Pennsylvania Dairy Health and Biosecurity Manual. Additional information on reducing E. coli infections, foot and mouth disease, and other common cattle diseases is available in the Dairy Cattle Health and Diseases section of this website.

Knowledge of the standards for head, eye, and foot protection for farmworkers can also be useful to producers, dedicated to ensuring the safety of dairy workers, feeders, milkers, and calf caretakers.