Key Concepts

• Hazard = something that can cause harm (e.g. PTO shaft)
• Risk = chance + severity of harm

Hierarchy of Control (know the order)

• Eliminate → remove hazard completely
• Reduce → safer alternative
• Isolate → guards/barriers
• PPE → last line (gloves, goggles)

👉 Exam trap: PPE is not the first control

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⚠️ Key Machinery Laws (FULL NAMES)

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

• Equipment must be safe, suitable, and maintained
• Only trained/competent people should use machinery
• Safety devices (guards, shields) must be in place

👉 Typical exam question: “What is required before using machinery?” → trained + safe equipment

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

• Employer must provide training, PPE, safe systems
• Employee must follow instructions and take care

👉 Responsibility is BOTH employer and employee

Road Traffic Act 1988

• Vehicles must be roadworthy and maintained
• Loads must be secure and safe

• Loose bale = illegal
• Faulty lights = illegal

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

• Equipment must be inspected regularly
• Safe lifting procedures must be followed
• Loads must be stable and secure

👉 Overloading or instability = serious offence

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

• PPE must be provided, suitable, and used correctly
• Examples: gloves, ear defenders, goggles

👉 PPE is last line of defence, not first

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

• Risk assess all chemicals
• Provide PPE
• Safe storage and handling required

👉 Example: spraying without PPE = illegal

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🔍 Daily Checks & Maintenance

• Oil
• Coolant
• Tyres
• Lights
• Guards

👉 Using faulty equipment = legal offence

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Key Rules Summary

• Employers → training, PPE, safe systems
• Employees → follow instructions, take care
• Equipment → must be maintained and safe

Key Actions

• Clean/disinfect boots
• Quarantine new animals
• Control visitors

👉 Prevents disease entering farmLaw Link
Animal Health Act 1981

Daily Checks

• Oil → prevents engine damage
• Tyres → safety + stability
• Lights → visibility

Safe Use

• No passengers unless seat
• Keep loads stable and secure
• Visibility – lights + clean windows

Laws

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
• Road Traffic Act 1988

👉 Unsafe machinery use = legal offence

Why Important

• Reduces breakdowns
• Maintains efficiency
• Improves safety

👉 Example: Blunt blades → poor cut + higher fuel useLaw Link
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

Must Record

• Medicine used
• Animal treated
• Date + dosage

👉 Ensures traceabilityKey Law
Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013👉 Withdrawal periods:

• Prevent residues entering food chain

👉 Selling too early = illegal

Ruminants (Cattle & Sheep)

• Rumen = fermentation vat (microbes break down fibre)
• Reticulum = traps foreign objects
• Omasum = absorbs water
• Abomasum = “true stomach” (acid digestion)

👉 Allows use of grass, silage, hayMonogastric (Pigs)

• Simple stomach with acid digestion
• Limited fibre digestion → rely on concentrates

👉 Diet must be higher quality + more digestibleLaw Link
Animal Feed Regulations 2010

• Feed must be safe
• Stored correctly
• Free from contamination

Oestrus Cycle

Animal	Cycle	Key Detail
Cow	21 days	Short heat → easy to miss
Sheep	17 days	Seasonal (autumn breeders)
Pig	21 days	Long heat → easier detection

Heat Signs

• Standing to be mounted (most reliable sign)
• Mounting others
• Increased activity

Gestation

Animal	Gestation	Key Detail
Cow	283 days	~9 months
Sheep	147 days	~5 months
Pig	115 days	3-3-3 rule

👉 EXAM trap: mixing up sheep and pigsLaw Link
Animal Welfare Act 2006

• Monitor animals during birth
• Intervene if needed
• Provide clean environment

Youngstock

• Calf (cow)
• Lamb (sheep)
• Piglet (pig)

👉 Often appears as simple recall question

Key Signs

• Reduced intake → early illness indicator
• Lameness → pain/injury
• Isolation → stress/disease
• Discharge → infection

Species Differences

• Cattle → lameness common (foot issues)
• Sheep → flystrike risk in warm weather
• Pigs → respiratory disease in poor ventilation

Key Law
Animal Health Act 1981Notifiable Diseases🐄 Cattle

• Bovine Tuberculosis (TB)
• Brucellosis
• Anthrax

🐑 Sheep & Goats

• Scrapie
• Bluetongue

🐖 Pigs

• African Swine Fever
• Classical Swine Fever

👉 Legal duty: report immediately🧠 If you suspect a notifiable disease:

• Report to employer / supervisor
• 🚫 Do NOT move animals
• 📞 Report immediately (APHA in the UK)
• 🧼 Lock down biosecurity

Key Principles

• Water = most important nutrient
• Intake drops quickly if water unavailable

Feeding by Stage

• Young → protein (growth)
• Lactating → energy (milk production)
• Finishing → energy (weight gain)

👉 Poor feed = poor performance + welfare issueLaw Link
Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2007

• Adequate diet
• Constant access to clean water