Working safely with livestock

NFU Cymru, who is part of the Wales Farm Safety Partnership, is highlighting the risks and reminding farmers to always think safety first before engaging with livestock.

• Visit the Farming Connect website for information on farm safety training courses funded up to 80%
• NFU Cymru members get a discount on Lantra's farm safety e-learning course

Deaths and injuries to farmers and their workers are often caused by:

• Poor equipment
• Ineffective methods of moving cattle
• An underestimation of the strength, speed or behaviour of cattle
• A lack of physical ability to do the demanding work that is inherent when working with cattle

NFU farm safety and transport adviser Tom Price said: “As with all causes of fatal injury on farm, there is nothing inevitable about death and injury caused by contact with livestock. There are risks when handling livestock and the important thing to do is manage them.

“We're highlighting steps that farmers can take to better manage risk to themselves, their workers and to the public.”

• The HSE have information on what a good farm looks like, highlighting common risks on farm.

Watch the video of Rob Lewis 

Reducing the safety risks

Farmers can reduce the safety risks when around livestock by taking these steps:

1. Select and use well designed handling facilities, in the yard, buildings and field. Keep them maintained.

• Good, well-maintained handling facilities are vital. A race and crush suitable for animals to be handled are must-haves. Make-shift gates and hurdles are not sufficient.

2. Be extremely cautious when entering a cattle enclosure and always have an escape route.

• If you have to attend to “downer” cattle or animals loose in boxes or isolation pens and it is not possible to secure them, make sure you have an escape route that will ensure you are not crushed if the animal rolls or stands suddenly.
• Further comprehensive guidance on equipment and handling can be found on the HSE website.
• Use What3Words to ensure people can locate you if you are going to be out working with livestock.

3. Remove aggressive animals from the herd.

• Management of aggressive animals is vital for the safety of farmers, workers and members of the public. In recent inquests into the deaths of members of the public, evidence has come to light that animals with a history of aggressive behaviour had remained in the herd after non-fatal incidents. If there is a history of aggression farmers must take action to protect themselves and the public. Not to do so puts everyone risk and leaves farmers liable to enforcement action that can have very serious consequences.
• Aggressive animals must not be sold on to become a problem for another farmer.

4. Wherever possible separate livestock from the public and select fields without rights of way when cattle have calves at foot.

• A number of members of the public are killed in incidents involving cattle ever year. Almost all incidents are in fields and enclosed areas. The most common factors are cows with calves and walkers with dogs. To manage the risks, separate the public from livestock wherever possible and use fields without public rights of way when cows are with calves. 
• Guidance from the HSE on cattle and public access is available in information sheet AIS17.
• NFU guidance on livestock and rights of way is available to members in Business Guide 407.

More information on livestock and rights of way is available to members through our Business Guides.