HSENI launch Farm Safe Essential message #2 – Plan Safe Spaces

Date published: 24 September 2020

HSENI have launched their second Farm Safe Essential message, ‘Plan Safe Spaces’, which offers guidance when working with bulls.

The Farm Safe Essentials messages aims to drill down into the key elements and key issues which are the main causes of major incidents and death on our farms. The first Farm Safe Essentials message, ‘No Brakes, No Chance’, was launched during this year’s Farm Safety Week, and encouraged the farming community to inspect and maintain their vehicles brakes regularly.

The second message, ‘Plan Safe Spaces – Don’t be caught out by Bulls’, encourages the farming community to consider the risks when working with bulls. Farmers attacked by bulls and newly calved cows remains one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries on our farms. Over familiarity and complacency when working with bulls, combined with not having a safe route of escape when an attack happens can often lead to tragic incidents occurring.

HSENI are proposing the following guidance:

• NEVER trust a bull, ALWAYS stay alert.
• ALL breeds of bull are dangerous and can kill.
• ALL bulls should be ringed from 10 months old, NEVER ring your own bull.
• If a bull shows ANY signs of aggression the farmer MUST cull at the earliest opportunity.
• A purpose built bull pen is ESSENTIAL for dairy bred bulls.
• Farmers MUST have adequate handling facilities for their bull.
• Never let the bull into the milking parlour with the cows.
• When working with a bull work in pairs OR let someone know where you are AND carry a mobile phone in case of emergency.
• When checking livestock and a bull in a field use a vehicle which can act as a refuge in case of emergency.
• ALWAYS plan an escape route.

Further information on the Farm Safe Essentials message can be found at hseni.gov.uk/essentials