Many injuries to farmers and farm workers occur when handling livestock. Animals are unpredictable, especially during the mating season or when protecting their young. Cattle, dogs, pigs, horses and sheep should be treated with caution. Attempting to lift or push animals can cause injury and animals are capable of transmitting certain diseases. Children should always be supervised around farm animals
Animal handling
Handling animals like cattle, sheep poultry, dogs and horses is a way of life on many farms. All animals behave differently and some animals are for production, working animals (sheep and cattle dogs or stock horses) and some are domestic pets.
Animals are unpredictable, especially during the mating season. Cattle, pigs, horses and sheep should be treated with caution at all times. Keep a fence between you and the animals; never turn your back.
Falling off horses causes a lot of injuries too, so wear a helmet. Keep sheds, yards, fences and equipment in good repair.
Visitors and bystanders can easily be injured by livestock so advise them to be careful.
References used for this topic page
More information:
Department of Justice and Attorney General (Qld)
Department of Primary Industries (NSW)
Last reviewed:
20-October-2011
Printer-friendly version
PDF version
RSS
in partnership with 
