Things to consider when starting any task on Farm

1. TRANSPORT

Ensure only persons authorised and officially trained with the safe operation or those undergoing supervised training are allowed to operate the ATV.
Have you had the proper training? Why not attend a Farming Connect certified training course?
Do you always wear a helmet? If not, why not? ATVs are not fitted with cabs or roll bars, so your only protection is what you wear.
Is your ATV adequately maintained? When was the last time you carried out a pre-shift check of the ATV

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Are you authorised and familiar with the safe operation of the machine and the PTO between the tractor and machine?
Have you remembered to SAFE STOP if you need to check the equipment, carry out maintenance work or clear blockages?

SAFE STOP

Are you using the right shaft and engine speed?

If a machine is used in excess of its design speed it will come under too much stress and it could disintegrate. This can be caused by using the wrong shaft speed or too high an engine speed when using an adaptor.

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Ensure only persons authorised and familiar with cattle or those undergoing supervised training are allowed to enter the cattle barns/pens/parlour and handle the cattle, especially if this involves working with any bulls.
Where possible ensure there are two people present, especially if you are trying to separate an animal from the rest of the herd or handling bulls.
Consider the risk to persons over 65 years or if someone has reduced agility– they may not be able to move out of the way quickly when necessary..
No children under 13 should be allowed to enter cattle housing or handle cattle.

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Can working at height be AVOIDED?
If the task requires you staying up a leaning ladder or stepladder for more than 30 minutes at a time, you should be using alternative equipment.
Ensure only those workers that are authorised and familiar with the safe operation of the equipment or those undergoing supervised training are allowed to use the ladders or step-ladders.
Choose the correct ladder for the task. Consider its weight capacity and its height. Many injuries occur due to ladders being too short for a specific task, and instead of selecting a new ladder for the job, workers place the ladder on something to extend its reach or stand on the top rung to gain the necessary height. This is not the correct way.

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