Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the step-by-step safety controls for animal transport and livestock loading activities to help you manage risks and meet your legal duties. It is a comprehensive, ready-to-use document covering multiple aspects of Animal Transport and Livestock Loading to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites and farms.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Accepting delivery of live animals, including inspection, documentation, and safe handover procedures
• Loading and unloading livestock using ramps, races, yards, and vehicles to minimise stress and prevent injury
• Transporting large animals such as cattle, horses, and pigs with appropriate vehicle set-up, segregation, and restraint
• Handling and transporting sick, injured, or distressed animals, including isolation and biosecurity precautions
• Selection and inspection of vehicles, trailers, crates, and stock crates for suitability, maintenance, and cleanliness
• Safe operation of gates, latches, ramps, and loading equipment to prevent crush, kick, and entrapment injuries
• Animal handling techniques to reduce aggression, kicking, biting, and bolting risks for workers and bystanders
• Management of manual handling risks when opening gates, moving panels, and guiding animals into position
• Traffic management around loading areas, including reversing controls, spotters, and segregation of people and vehicles
• Control of slips, trips, and falls in yards, loading docks, and vehicle decks, including cleaning and housekeeping
• Fatigue management and journey planning for long-distance livestock transport operations
• Emergency response procedures for animal escape, vehicle breakdown, rollover, or animal welfare incidents
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as boots, gloves, eye protection, and high-visibility clothing

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for livestock transport operators, farmers, feedlot and saleyard workers, abattoirs, stock handlers, and site supervisors responsible for animal transport and loading activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock: Requirements for humane and safe transport of livestock by road and rail
• Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Cattle / Sheep / Pigs (as applicable): Minimum standards for handling and management of livestock
• Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on safe use of vehicles, ramps, and loading equipment
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Requirements for safe yards, loading areas, and amenities
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Guidance on reducing musculoskeletal risks when handling gates, panels, and equipment
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for noisy livestock handling and vehicle operations
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for first aid arrangements for animal-related injuries