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
Working safely with vehicles
Safe farm
Simple, practical advice for working safely with farm vehicles.
Make a small change today, it could save you, your farm and your family.
Safe driver
Being a safe driver costs nothing but can prevent a tragedy.
Pause, take a moment to be a safer driver.
Safe vehicle
Simple, practical advice for working safely with farm vehicles.
Make a small change today, it could save you, your farm and your family.
Legals
Health and safety is a fundamental requirement of a sustainable farming business and should be regarded as an essential part of everyday farming life.
Training
Training is vital to help keep everyone safe. Before using any vehicle on a farm, it’s important you have been trained to use that specific vehicle safely.
Farming vehicles and machines are complex, there are a range of relevant training courses such as those run by training providers, agricultural colleges and manufacturers and dealers.
