“No one in this area can get a decent worker.”

This is a common statement made by many dairy owners and managers in different areas of the country. Although this statement may ring true, it is not usually accurate. Employers have a direct responsibility to adequately interview and hire a reliable and informed worker, even if the potential worker’s primary language is not English.

In the last article we discussed emergency action plans, and what was required to write one. In this article we will not stray far from that topic, and discuss emergency first aid.

Each work environment has different hazards and therefore different types of injuries can be expected. Keeping in mind that agriculture is still listed as among the most hazardous professions, it’s pretty obvious that first-aid emergencies can be expected.

Milking nearly 1,100 cows in a Double-20 Herringbone parlor in Stangelville, Wisconsin, the milking team at Deer Run Dairy was able to reduce the milking time by 45 minutes each shift by making a few important changes to their milking routine. At Deer Run Dairy, two milkers prep twenty cows on each side, dividing them into four territories of five cows. Each milker is responsible for a total of ten cows on each side.

Initially, the milkers divided the parlor into two halves, the front and the back. The front milker prepped the first ten cows in the front of the parlor, and the back milker prepped the other ten cows in the back of the parlor.

Do your employees know what to do in case of an emergency?
An accident, fire or medical emergency can happen at any time, and it is important that all employees know what to do in the event of an emergency.

OSHA requires that most workplaces have an Emergency Action Plan that identifies the emergency action steps specific to the worksite. The plan must be in writing, be kept in the workplace and be available to all employees.

Employers with fewer than 11 permanent, year-around workers may have a verbal plan. When the verbal plan is allowed, employers need to have the plan in writing for the purpose of documentation and training.

You’ve probably already heard your boss say that being consistent is extremely important for cows to perform at their highest level. It’s true; cows have a hard time adapting to change.

Whether it’s eating in the same headlock, lying in the same stall, or milking on the same side of the parlor, cows like their life to be the same every day. And that’s why it’s extremely important that everyone who works with cows does the same procedures all of the time.

What would happen if you walked in front of the cows being milked in the parlor right now and dropped a glove in front of them? How would the cows react once you released them?