Check that Robust Dip is an appropriate product for your sheep.

Do not use if the expiry or “use by” date on the product has passed. The batch number and expiry date are printed on the pack label.

Consider the condition of the sheep. You should not dip sheep when they are tired, thirsty or heat stressed and not within the 3 week period after shearing. Also do not dip sheep if their fleece is already wet, and consult your veterinary surgeon if your sheep are ill from any other disease. Also seek advice if dipping pregnant ewes.

Dipping should only be carried out in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors.

Only use a dip bath that is well designed and hazard free as shown in AS29 “Sheep Dipping”, (free copy from HSE Books tel: 01787 881165). This is essential for the safety of operators and the environment.

Check that the draining pens drain into the dip bath. If they do not you must change the design before operations start. Draining pen floors should be impermeable e.g. concreted. Check the bath for leaks and seal them before operations begin. Prepare a planned route for the sheep back to pasture or penning that avoids contact with watercourses of any kind.

Occasional transient sedation may be seen for about an hour after sheep emerge from the dip. Do not house freshly dipped sheep in an enclosed building. Keep dipped sheep out of all watercourses. Ensure no leakage of dip or dip concentrate into watercourses of any kind. Always cover the bath when not in use and take action to prevent accidents to both animals and humans.

In the 3 month period after dipping you are advised not to shear sheep. If you sell the sheep you should tell the new owner when the animals were last dipped. If you take sheep to market it is good practice to ask the auctioneer to record (and pass on to the new owner) the date animals were last dipped particularly if they were dipped during the last 3 months. Never re-use concentrate containers.

There are strict withdrawal periods that must be observed before the meat and milk may be used for human consumption following dipping with Robust:

Meat: Animals must not be slaughtered for human consumption during treatment. Sheep may be slaughtered for human consumption only after 18 days from last treatment. Records must also be kept.

Milk: It is unlawful to use Robust on animals producing milk for human consumption.

Do not let livestock graze on land for one month following the spreading of used dip.

Ensure you have spare protective clothing available in case any items become damaged.

The recommended protective clothing is:

Handle with extreme caution. Robust Sheep Dip can be dangerous to people, animals, and all wildlife large and small, if proper precautions are not taken. Keep children away from all dipping operations. Check that all those involved are adequately trained and competent. The National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC) tel: 024 7669 6553 has names of training providers. Make sure that everyone involved in dipping operations has the recommended protective clothing and insist that they wear it. Immediately wash off sheep dip, particularly dip concentrate, if it gets on your skin or in your eyes. Before leaving the work area wash and remove protective clothing and do not smoke, drink, eat or use the toilet during dipping operations. Always wash hands, face and exposed skin immediately after leaving the work area.

Immediately remove heavily contaminated clothes and wash contaminated areas of skin.

If you need to handle sheep in the weeks following dipping wear protective clothing because dip residues remain on the fleece.

It is an offence to permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter to enter any river, stream, watercourse, land drain or soakaway. Report any environmental pollution immediately. For the UK ring 0800 80 70 60. Make sure all used sheep dip, including rinse water from washing protective clothing and equipment, drains back into the dipper for safe disposal. To dispose of used sheep dip you must have an authorisation under the Groundwater Regulations 1988. To apply for an authorisation contact the Environment Agency (EA) tel: 08459 333111. In Scotland you should contact your local office of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). In Northern Ireland you should contact the Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (EHS/DENI) tel: 02890 251477. Used sheep dip may be disposed of by using a licensed waste disposal contractor. Alternatively you may be able to make arrangements (for the return of dip concentrate) with your supplier.

Do not apply used dip to areas where wild fowl are likely to graze. Geese are particularly vulnerable. In any case use bird scarers on land where used dip has been spread.

This product contains cypermethrin which may produce tingling, itchiness, blotchy redness on exposed skin, headaches and dizziness.

If you have previously felt unwell after using this product consult your doctor and give him/her this label.

If you become heavily contaminated with the concentrate, you should remove clothing and rinse with plenty of water areas of skin that came into contact with the dip. If you have symptoms as stated in the “Information for doctors”, call your doctor. If sheep dip has been swallowed go straight to hospital and take this label with you. Your copy of “Sheep Dipping” AS29 includes further medical advice.

Symptoms of poisoning with pyrethroid compounds include headache, dizziness, tingling (especially on the face), itching (with red blotchy skin), loss of appetite, excessive salivation and eye watering.

Severe poisoning is uncommon and usually follows a substantial ingestion of the product. This may cause impaired consciousness, muscle twitching and convulsions.

Advice on clinical management is available from the National Poisons Information Service. (Either access TOXBASE on the Internet/NHS web at http://www.spib.axl.co.uk or telephone 0870 600 6266).