Regardless of the types of animals you raise on your
farm, complacency and the feeling of being safe
in their presence may leave you off guard. Injuries
usually occur when the victim does not expect it.
All animals should be considered unpredictable.
A lack of knowledge of animal behaviour could put
a handler into dangerous situations. Thousands of
animal related injuries occur each year, some even
resulting in death. Don't overlook the importance
of safety around livestock particularly with
inexperienced employees and family members.
Some of the most common injuries include being
stepped on by large animals, being knocked down,
kicked, thrown while riding, or pinned between the
animal and a hard surface. Many injuries also occur
each year from bites.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
What can you do to prevent animal injuries? Proper equipment and handling facilities for your type
of operation are a must. Larger animals, in particular, need equipment that is able to restrain them for
general maintenance or health care.
Pens should be equipped with a man gate or other means of egress if necessary. Crowding animals into
sorting or working chutes should be done with crowd gates, not with drivers.
Catwalks along chutes and alleys eliminate the need for working in the alley. If the catwalk is more than
18" or so off the ground, it should be protected by a guardrail to prevent falls.
Walking or working surfaces should be free of tripping and slipping hazards for both animals and
workers. Eliminate protrusions and sharp corners. Lighting in handling and housing facilities should be
even and diffused. Bright spots mixed with shadows in alleys and crowding pens will often cause cattle
to balk.
HANDLING LARGE ANIMALS SAFELY
WSPS.CA
