Working with Livestock
Working with Livestock and safety
Recent dairy farm fatalities involving cattle highlight the risks associated with working with large and sometimes unpredictable animals.
Many dairy workers experience some sort of injury each year as a result of being kicked, stood on or crushed. More serious injuries such as broken bones also occur and some can be fatal.
The risk of injury increases: when working with bulls; or using poorly designed and constructed facilities; or if workers lack experience and knowledge of animal behaviour. Injuries can lead to more serious or fatal outcomes when working alone.
In addition to physical injuries, cattle can also transfer certain diseases to people with sometimes long-term and debilitating effects.
As an employer or person conducting a business on the farm you have a legal responsibility to manage risk to health and safety associated with all aspects of working with livestock
Farm Safety Manual – Working with livestock
Working with Livestock SOP
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Farm Policy on Safe Animal Handling
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Q-Fever Policy Template
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Further information
Cattle Handling Safety: A Practical Guide (Australian Agricultural Health and Safety)
Safer cattle handling (WorkSafe Victoria)
Webpage
Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
Webpage
Behavioural Principles of Livestock Handling (Temple Grandin)
Webpage
Understanding Flight Zone and Point of Balance (Temple Grandin)
Webpage
Bull behaviour (Temple Grandin)
Webpage
Cattle behaviour flight zones and point of balance (Teagasc)
Webpage
Guidelines on designing and improving loading ramps
Webpage
Lameness and cattle behaviour (Dairy Australia)
Webpage
Occupational Lung Disease – Q Fever (Safe Work Australia)
Webpage
Preventing zoonotic diseases (Queensland Government)
Webpage
Q Fever (DPI NSW)
Webpage
Q fever fact sheet (NSW Government)
Webpage
Q fever (Better Health Channel)
Webpage
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