Information Leaflet
Mitigating Risk in Conservation Grazing Livestock can be dangerous – even a gentle knock from a playful animal can cause an injury. It is therefore vitally important that you take precautions that minimise the risks to yourself, your staff / volunteers and to the general public. In addition, conservation sites can have hazards that could harm the grazing stock themselves and therefore part of your management strategy should include measures that mitigate these. It is important that everyone working with livestock is aware of the hazards and that precautions are put in place to decrease the risks involved The contents of this leaflet are • Performing a risk assessment. • Reducing risks.
»»On sites with public access. »»For staff / volunteers working with stock.
• Assessing the risks of a site to livestock. • Responsible use of medicines. • Action plans. Further advice on managing the risks associated with grazing livestock is provided in other GAP publications e.g. • Grazing Stock on Sites with Public Access. • Gathering, Handling and Transporting Stock. • Animal Health and Welfare. Additional information can also be found on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.
©Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Performing a Risk Assessment A ‘hazard’ is anything that might cause harm. The ‘risk’ is the likelihood that a person or animal could be harmed by a hazard. To identify hazards • Walk around the site - every site is different and your assessment should be specific to your site(s). • Consider how and where the public may interact with livestock. • Review ‘routine’ procedures e.g. stock checks, gathering, handling, transporting stock, feeding stock etc. • Learn from experience. Think carefully about any past accidents or illnesses. • Seek advice from experienced stockpeople and others who work in conservation grazing. • Talk to your staff / volunteers. They may have spotted something you have not. • Check data sheets and instructions for medicines /chemicals / equipment. • Don’t forget to think about long-term health hazards.
It is impossible to eliminate all hazards associated with livestock. You should • Weigh up the risks – remember that these can alter throughout the year, under different weather conditions or with different types of stock. • Decide on precautions. • Comply with the law. • Put the results into practice. • Keep good notes so that any trends or particular issues can be identified and dealt with. • Regularly review your assessments, especially after an incident.
Grazing Animals Project 2019
Page 1 Written and Designed by Pen Rashbass