Cattle handling remains one of the most dangerous jobs on a farm, as workers are often in close quarters with large, heavy animals that can kick, crush or trample with little warning. This is especially the case during loading and unloading, when animals are often stressed and unpredictable.
Since 2021, there have been four workplace fatalities and more than 240 people have been seriously injured while working with livestock. Many of these incidents occurred during routine tasks - a harsh reminder that just because something feels familiar doesn't always mean it's safe.
WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said it was critical that farmers paused and assessed the safety of 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."
"Even if your ramps don't meet current safety standards, this doesn't necessarily mean you've got to spend a lot of money on brand new ones," Mr Jenkin said. "There are cheaper ways to add safety features like catwalks or non-slip surfaces to existing ramps."
"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 who do opt for new ramps are advised to check with the manufacturer whether they meet Australian Standards to ensure they are purchasing something both safe and long-lasting.
Safe loading practices include ensuring someone familiar with the cattle is in control, never loading cattle alone, having secure and well-maintained gates, and ensuring everyone working in the yards is trained and experienced.
Ballangeich husband and wife Taylor and Paul spoke to WorkSafe about the peace of mind that safer cattle yards have given them on their beef, sheep and dairy farm.
"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."
"I certainly wouldn't want to walk around knowing that one of my workers was badly injured or passed away because of a safety failure - I'm not sure I could live with that."
"But it's not just a safety thing - livestock production and efficiency are definitely improving as well thanks to the upgrades."
WorkSafe has made assessing the safety of cattle yards simpler by creating a short animation showing what safe loading looks like. A new flowchart has also been created to help farmers determine if their ramp is safe, along with updates to existing guidance.
"We know improving safety in cattle yards is a journey and you can't change everything overnight," Mr Jenkin said.
"That's why our guidance sets out basic safety expectations and then best practice, which is where we're encouraging farmers to head in the long term. It's about knowing where you're at and what to work toward."
"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 contact WorkSafe's advisory service on 1800 136 089, or apply online for OHS Essentials - a free, independent and in-depth consultation service.
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/ohs-essentials-program
National Farm Safety Week runs from 20-26 July 2025.
