Safety advice for livestock handlers
Work with cattle is one of the most common causes of death on British farms. Never underestimate the risk from cattle, even with good precautions in place. Where possible, people and cattle should be kept apart.
Livestock handlers should be in good health, agile and have the physical ability to work with livestock. Handlers should be periodically reassessed by their employer.
To ensure their safety and the safety of others, livestock handlers should:
- Plan handling tasks beforehand and be properly trained in safe systems of work using the equipment provided and be competent to handle livestock.
- Be closely supervised by the employer until such time as they are assessed and deemed competent.
- Have the ability to recognise warning signs that the animal is agitated and understand how to respond.
- Never enter an enclosure when a bull is loose or a cow is with a calf unless the animals are restrained or segregated.
- Respect livestock and the risks involved.
Download our working safely with livestock checklist
We have created these campaign pages and assets to help make sure you consider all the risks and act now to protect everyone on your farm.
Workers that are new to the industry are at higher risk.
Download our working safely with cattle checklist, share them with your workers and discuss how to keep everyone on the farm safe.
Additional information and guidance on working safely on the farm
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