Workplace safety management in dairy farms - from risk assessment to design of the workplace (Results of a study performed in Friuli Venezia Giulia region)

The study punctually analyzes the safety management in animal farms considering in particular infrastructural aspects, management of machines and equipment and handling of animals. The research, realized in Friuli Venezia Giulia region during years 2012-2014, allowed to record in detail, through a specific registration protocol, the existing critical issues. Results show a situation still lacking regarding safety: both prevention and protection are aspects poorly understood from farmers. In addition to chronic and structural deficiencies, such as obsolescence of machines, there are some operative weaknesses respect to animal management, animal handling (procedures often incorrect) and absence of escape routes. © 2015 Brigitta Gaspardo et al.