Big, fast and unpredictable — respect the animal
Livestock injure people every year in New Zealand — mostly when animals kick or crush them. Cattle have minds of their own, a huge weight advantage and move surprisingly fast, and even skilled handlers take knocks. The controls are practical: train and supervise handlers, keep yards and races tidy and well-maintained, plan an escape route, keep a barrier between you and the animal, and manage the zoonoses (diseases animals pass to people) with good hygiene and vaccination programmes.
Cattle, and other stock, are powerful and unpredictable. WorkSafe reports that many people are hurt by cattle each year — mostly when they are kicked or crushed — with serious injuries like broken bones, and some deaths. Animals have a huge weight advantage, move surprisingly fast, and react to fear, pain, cold or wind. This applies to anyone handling stock: dairy and beef farmers, transporters, drafters, vets and saleyard workers.
Most of the risk is designed out or in by the yards. Keep yards tidy and well maintained, with gates, latches and footings in good order, and avoid blind corners. Plan an escape route before you start any job in the yards. Never get in the race with large cattle, and don't put your arms or legs through the race walls. Use a head bail for difficult animals and bulls, and keep a fence or vehicle between you and the animal wherever you can.
| Situation | Safer approach |
|---|---|
| Approaching stock | Make sure the animal knows you are there, approach quietly, and work calmly — sudden movement spooks animals. |
| Cows and calves | Don't get between a cow and her calf without a barrier, especially when weighing or ear-tagging a newborn. Keep the calf between you and the mother. |
| Dangerous bulls | Don't try to move a dangerous bull on foot or alone — use a ute or tractor, a well-trained dog, and get help. |
| Lifting | Avoid lifting calves where you can; if you must, use your legs and keep your back straight — see manual handling. |
Zoonoses are diseases people can catch from animals — leptospirosis is a serious New Zealand example. Manage them with a vaccination and parasite-control programme, and by thoroughly washing and drying your hands after handling stock. Treat these as biological hazards. Some animal vaccinations are dangerous to humans and should only be given by a veterinarian, and the chemicals used in drenching and dipping are hazardous substances. Read alongside farm health and safety.
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Mostly when an animal kicks or crushes a person. Cattle in particular have a large weight advantage, move fast and are unpredictable, so handlers get serious injuries like broken bones, and some have been killed.
Plan your escape route before you start, keep yards tidy and well-maintained, never get in the race with large cattle, and keep a barrier — a fence, gate or vehicle — between you and the animal.
Never on foot or alone. Use a ute or tractor, a well-trained dog, and get someone to help. Use a head bail for difficult animals.
Zoonoses are diseases that pass from animals to people, such as leptospirosis. Manage them with a vaccination and parasite-control programme and by thoroughly washing and drying your hands after handling stock.
Anyone who handles stock — dairy and beef farmers and workers, stock transporters, drafters, veterinarians and saleyard workers.
