Safe Handling of Cattle On Farms Information Sheet
Safe Handling of Cattle On Farms Information Sheet
Safe Handling of Cattle On Farms Information Sheet
on Farms –
How Safe are You November 2010
Bulls
submissive alert before flight Bulls cause over 50% of livestock related deaths on
Irish farms.
Never turn your back on a bull as all bulls are
potential killers, even seemingly quiet bulls.
Farmers and persons handling bulls must treat
them with caution and respect at all times.
Persons handling bulls should be fit and agile and
Grazing or walking
be aged between 18 and 65 years.
The risk of attack from stock
Cold, ill or Threatening, bulls running with the
frightened curiosity or herd is greatest during
sexual excitement
the summer months.
Galloping
Kicking or playing
Other Cattle
Other classes of cattle such as heifers, bullocks,
bull beef and young stock can also be dangerous.
Several aspects of cattle husbandry such as
housing of animals during the winter, castration,
scanning, freeze branding, drenching, vaccination,
dehorning and transportation have the potential to
cause serious injury if not managed correctly.
Some tasks will involve getting into the cattle crush
with the animal where the following basic rules
should be followed:
Only allow
Avoid grazing a bull in a field where there is a right one animal
of way or where members of the public may have at a time
access. into the
crush.
along ditches where you can escape or bring a Restrain
Never walk through an open field with a bull, walk
up.
Have a slip gate into the crush just behind the
Cows
Cows and heifers are more unpredictable during first animal.
Have a suitable system for holding the scanner
stressful periods such as calving, weaning and at
their first milking.
or other equipment.
Have a person to restrain the animal’s nose
Suckler cows which are handled less frequently
generally pose a greater risk than dairy cows.
when castrating.
Cows are very protective of their calves. Several
farmers have been killed by cows during or
immediately after calving. Particular care is also required when separating or
moving cattle and when crossing roads with cattle.
Never turn your
back on cows with
new born calves.
She may perceive
you as a threat and
attack. A freshly
calved heifer may
present an even
greater threat.
equipment (e.g. steel toecap boots). High – viz wcu@hsa.ie or LoCall 1890 289 389.
jackets or vests are essential if moving cattle on or
across roads.
Good stockmanship skills are essential. This will
ensure the cattle are not stressed and will reduce
the risk of injury to the handler.
Provide suitable training and adequate supervision
to young and inexperienced persons working with
cattle.
Very young children are at risk if around cattle and
should never be allowed to enter yards or fields
with livestock unless with an adult.
Older farmers are also at greater risk due to
reduced mobility, being less agile and maybe being
complacent.
Published in 2010 by the Health and Safety Authority, The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1.
Acknowledgement : The New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation Ltd for use of diagrams from Bulletin 517,2002.