A HEALTH AND SAFETY SOLUTION

Separation of cattle and people while loading

cattle at saleyards (In-fill on ramp walls)

What is the problem? particularly dangerous activity. Dangerous practices

Cattle can be unpredictable and dangerous, especially during loading of animals include:
during loading and transport. Noise, heat, light or the • people loading animals from inside the cattle ramp
use of cattle prods can increase their aggression and area; and
• people standing outside the cattle ramp, but placing their
unpredictability. Cattle can also move unexpectedly
limbs through the bars of the ramp to prompt cattle up
even when not in an anxious state.
the ramp and into the transport vehicle.
People working with cattle in saleyards1 are at risk of
(continued overleaf)
injury unless there is appropriate separation of people
and animals. Loading of cattle into transport is a

A Problem

Not to scale

Figure 1
Do not allow persons to load cattle from inside the ramp.

Not to scale

Figure 2
Ramp must not provide opportunities to place limbs through the bars.

EDITION NO. 2 MARCH 2008 Page 1 of 2

A HEALTH AND SAFETY SOLUTION

What are the risks?
People working inside the cattle ramp area
There is a risk of people being crushed, gored, kicked
or trampled by cattle when they are working inside the
ramp whilst loading cattle into a trailer or truck. This can
lead to fractures, dislocations, serious injuries or fatalities.
People inserting limbs inside the cattle ramp area
People who place their head, arms or limbs in the ramp
area through the bars of the ramp sides risk having their
limbs crushed or trapped against the sides of the ramp.
Ramp sides that are not wholly filled in (i.e. partial in-fill
of sides or extra bars on top of in-filled sides) allow
people to put body parts through gaps and are therefore
also potential trapping spaces.
(this may require the raising of the walkway so that
people can comfortably reach over the ramp wall to
prod the cattle up the ramp); and
• administrative controls (i.e. warning signs, supervision,
and training/induction) to ensure that cattle are only
worked from outside ramp.
(It is important to ensure that the new control measures
do not introduce new hazards.)
1
The use of the term ‘saleyard’ in the context of this solutions sheet specifically
excludes on-farm cattle-yards. This guidance is provided for the use
of public saleyards.
Further Information

What is a solution to the problem? WorkSafe Advisory Service

Ensure people and cattle are separated by making sure Toll-free 1800 136 089
that cattle are directed up the ramp only by persons Email info@worksafe.vic.gov.au
Website worksafe.vic.gov.au
outside the ramp (i.e. working from a walkway), and
protect people working from the walkway by providing: Relevant Publications
• full in-fill on ramp sides to eliminate trapping spaces Beef Cattle Handling: A Practical Safety Guide
and the placement of limbs through the bars of the
This publication specifically refers to solutions
ramp sides;
for beef producers, the stud beef industry and
• wall heights appropriate to cattle being loaded.
employees in beef cattle sectors, and may be
Wall heights need to prevent stock movers being
read in conjunction with the current Health and
struck by cattle horns or heads over the top of the
Safety solution.
ramp race wall while working from the walkway
VWA Keycode – HSS 0022/01/12.07
WorkSafe Victoria is a trading name of the Victorian WorkCover Authority.

A Solution

Not to scale

Figure 3
Work with cattle from the walkway and ensure the ramp has no trapping spaces.

EDITION NO. 2 MARCH 2008 Page 2 of 2