Safety, Health and Emergency Readiness
Milking Routine Safety
The milking routine is the heart of a dairy day, and each step has its own hazards. Walking through the routine step by step helps crews spot risks before they become injuries.
Start with the whole routine
Write the routine down from the moment cows leave the pen to the moment the parlor is clean. Most dairies have a routine, but few have written it, and unwritten routines drift. A written one lets new staff learn the right way and lets everyone spot a missing step.
Then add hazards beside each step. This is the simplest way to build a safety plan that fits your dairy rather than a generic one.
A good routine also names who does what, so that two people do not both reach for the same unit or leave a gate unattended.
Cow movement and entry
Moving cows is a moment of risk. Animals can crowd, slip or panic. Calm handling, good lighting, non-slip footing and clear alleys reduce trouble. Stay out of pinch points between cows and gates, and keep escape routes clear.
Do not rush a group that is nervous. If a cow is down or acting oddly, stop and call a supervisor. See CDC and OSHA guidance for farm safety basics.
If new staff are covering, walk them through the first few groups slowly and let them ask questions before the full pace begins.
In the pit and on the platform
Slips are among the most common problems. Water, manure and milk make floors slick. Keep drains clear, clean spills and wear boots with good tread. Mind the cows' hind legs and tails, stand where you can step back and keep hands out of the gap when gates move.
Noise and wet conditions also matter. Use hearing protection where recommended, and keep electrical equipment in good condition and properly protected. Report frayed cords and shocks immediately.
Keep hands, hair, loose clothing and jewelry away from moving parts, and never reach into equipment that is running. If something jams, shut it off first and tell someone.
- Boots with good grip
- Know where each gate can pinch
- Keep walkways clear
- Report electrical problems
- Use hearing protection when needed
Chemicals and cleaning
Teat dips, cleaning acids and sanitizers are chemicals. Read labels and safety data sheets, wear the right gloves and eye protection and never mix products. Keep containers labeled and stored where animals and children cannot reach.
Wash up after chemical work, and keep an eyewash station working. The OSHA hazard communication pages site describes hazard communication in general, and workers should receive training in a language they understand.
Store chemicals away from the parlor floor where possible, and make sure the labels on spray bottles match what is in them.
Fatigue, heat and cold
Early starts and long shifts make people tired, and tired people make mistakes. Plan breaks, keep water close and think about heat in summer and cold in winter. In Texas, a Panhandle winter and a Central Texas August both bring risks.
The National Weather Service issues warnings and forecasts you can use for planning. Watch for signs of heat illness and act quickly if someone is in trouble.
Dress for conditions. Layers, rain gear and warm gloves in winter matter, and so do breathable clothing and shade breaks in summer.
What to ask your supervisor
New workers should ask what the routine is, who trains them, what to do if a cow is aggressive and who to tell about a hazard. Employers should ask crews the same questions, and listen to the answers.
A good first-week plan includes shadowing, a walk of the parlor with hazards pointed out, a look at emergency exits and first aid, and a check-in after a few days. For more on getting started, see this agricultural jobs guide and this farm safety resource.
Employers can also ask for ideas: a suggestion box, a standing item at the crew meeting or a quick chat at shift change turns the people who do the work into safety partners.
Keep learning
Extension agents, dairy associations and insurers often offer training. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Dairy MAX are places to start.
For more reading, farm.FM has dairy stories and farming stories, plus a farm.FM story about the milking routine. This is general education, not a safety standard.
Take a few minutes at the end of each shift to note anything that nearly went wrong. A near miss is free information.
Sources and further reading
- OSHA: workplace safety
- CDC: public health
- National Weather Service: forecasts and warnings
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Texas extension service
- Dairy MAX: dairy promotion in the Southwest
- Texas Department of Insurance, Workers Compensation: Texas workers comp information
Ask locally: Ask your insurer, extension agent or a safety consultant to walk the parlor with you.