October 2024

Calm and safe handling leads to calm and healthy animals, which in turn reduces the risk of injury for both livestock and their handlers.

Animals perceive the world differently from humans–they mainly see in shades of gray, have limited depth perception, a wide panoramic view that makes them easily startled from behind (blindspots), and are highly sensitive to sounds.

By understanding these traits and practicing thoughtful handling, farmers and workers can create a safer and healthier environment for everyone involved.

SAFETY CHECKLIST

The checklist below lists a few things you can check for to ensure safe animal handling:

• Are all workers trained in safe animal handling?
• Do all workers move animals calmly and slowly using gentle touch and pressure zones? Do they know not to prod animals?
• Do all workers know how to avoid being in animals’ blind spots, like being right behind cattle?
• Do all workers avoid yelling or loud noises around animals?
• Do all workers recognize when animals are aggressive or fearful (like flattened ears and raised or rapidly lashing tail)?
• Do all workers act carefully around males or livestock with offspring, especially during feeding times?
• Are facilities designed and maintained with the purpose of helping animals stay calm? Floors are flat, not slippery, and have a uniform texture. Pens and gates should be free of sharp projections, and have enough space for animals to not feel claustrophobic. Solid side-walls and other ways to obscure vision can prevent animals from being frightened.
• Do all workers have an escape route especially when working in close range with animals?
• Animals are calmer with established routines. Do workers feed, milk, and groom at the same time each day?
• Do all workers consider how environmental conditions, like extreme heat, impact livestock handling? For example, avoiding moving animals during the hottest hours,11 am to 4 pm?

You and/or your employee(s) can use this form to complete safety checks on your farm. Add any additional safety checks you think are important when inspecting your farm. Keep the completed forms for follow-up, future reference, and inspections.

Disclaimer: The facts and information provided are suggestions for your safety. This is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all actions needed to ensure your safety, and this list is not an endorsement of any products mentioned.