WorkSafe urges farmers to check cattle yard ramps and loading safety

Handling cattle puts workers close to large, heavy animals capable of kicking, crushing or trampling them with little warning. Loading and unloading can be particularly dangerous because cattle may be stressed and unpredictable. Many of the livestock incidents recorded since 2021 happened during routine work, highlighting that familiar tasks can still be unsafe.

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said farmers needed to stop and assess their ramps and loading practices. “Some red flags to look out for include ramps that are not secured, non-adjustable ramps, ramps with no safety gate at the top, and ramps that don’t separate people and livestock.”

Mr Jenkin said ramps that did not meet current safety standards did not necessarily need to be replaced with expensive new equipment. Adding features such as catwalks or non-slip surfaces could be a cheaper option. “The most important thing is to start with your safety assessment because when it comes to farm safety – you never know how many second chances you’ll get.” Farmers buying new ramps are advised to ask the manufacturer whether they meet Australian Standards.

Safe loading involves having someone who knows the cattle in control and never loading cattle alone. Gates should be secure and well maintained, and everyone working in the yards should have the necessary training and experience.

Ballangeich couple Taylor and Paul told WorkSafe that improvements to the cattle yards on their beef, sheep and dairy farm had brought peace of mind. “We're almost like a family with our workers,” Taylor said. “So making safety improvements to our cattle yards has felt like a big weight off our shoulders.” Taylor also said the upgrades were improving livestock production and efficiency.

WorkSafe has developed a short animation demonstrating safe loading, a new flowchart to help farmers assess whether their ramp is safe, and updated guidance. Mr Jenkin acknowledged that improvements take time. “We know improving safety in cattle yards is a journey and you can’t change everything overnight,” he said.

Mr Jenkin said the guidance outlines basic safety expectations alongside best practice, which WorkSafe encourages farmers to work towards over time. “WorkSafe is here to work with you,” Mr Jenkin said. “If you’re unsure about anything in your cattle yard, give our advisors a call for guidance and support.”

Farmers can call WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089 or apply online for OHS Essentials, a free, independent and in-depth workplace safety consultation delivered by occupational health and safety experts. National Farm Safety Week runs from 20–26 July 2025.

How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace safety and identify areas that may need closer attention. Take the free WHS self-check