Agriculture Industry
Livestock Transport –
Yards, ramps and gates
The safe design, installation and maintenance of livestock yards, ramps and gates
at stockyards and abattoirs is important in preventing workplace injuries. Safe
working methods enable employers, stockyard owners/operators and livestock
transporters the opportunity to implement best practice injury prevention.
The safe design, installation and maintenance of livestock
yards, ramps and gates at farms, stockyards, spelling yards,
feedlots and abattoirs reduces the risk of workplace injury,
or death.
Work health and safety responsibilities
Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs)
are responsible for ensuring that the health and safety of
workers (and others like clients and customers) is not put
at risk. At stockyards and abattoirs those responsible for
implementing safety solutions may include:
• stockyard owners/operators
• abattoir operators
• farmers/primary producers
• feedlot operators
• stock selling and buying agents
• livestock transporters
• drivers, including owner/drivers
• employers
• providers of truck wash-down stations
• designers, manufacturers and suppliers of yards, ramps
and gates (including people who repair or modify equipment).
PCBUs must consult with and involve workers when
identifying and resolving safety issues, as decisions made
can have safety consequences for them.
Workers should report any safety issues, hazards and
incidents. PCBUs must have an incident/injury reporting
process and follow up with actions to maintain safety.
Stockyard owners/operators
Stockyard owners and operators (including primary
producers and abattoir operators) are responsible for the
work health and safety of their own workers, as well as all
other people at the yard. They must ensure that:
• a safe system of work is in place, including safe animal
handling procedures (developed and adopted in consultation with workers and contractors)
safe, fair, productive working lives
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all plant and equipment is maintained and in a safe
working condition
a safe working environment is provided, particularly the
physical separation of people and livestock
information, instruction and training is provided.
To ensure trouble-free loading and unloading of livestock,
stockyard owners/operators should ideally provide:
• ramps designed and built to suit:
- the type of livestock being handled
- the type of vehicle being used
- the fall protection methods used by drivers
• stairs and walkways with handrails, including
along loading races, loading docks and platforms
• self-latching/slam-shut gates for ready access and
escape, and isolation from animal hazards
• gates that swing freely with the top gudgeon reversed
to prevent gates being lifted off
• lighting positioned to ensure clear vision inside all crates
and surrounds
• tiered gantries with safe access and egress
• stockyards designed with good drainage and firm
footing to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
Selling and buying agents
Agents are responsible for ensuring all workers, including
their contractors, have undertaken an induction into the
stockyard’s safe working procedures.
Livestock transporters
Livestock transporters have work health and safety
responsibilities to themselves, stockyard workers and other
people who may be affected by the handling and transport
of livestock.
Designers, manufacturers and suppliers
Designers, manufacturers and suppliers of forcing yards
and loading ramps are responsible for designing safe plant
and equipment, which includes purpose-built platforms,
walkways, stairways and ladders.
Man
Anyone carrying out modifications and retrofitting is also
responsible for ensuring the safety of this equipment, and
PCBUs must inform, instruct and train workers regarding
any changes.
Reducing the risk
Animal control
All workers must either be trained in or have an adequate
understanding of animal behaviour and livestock control
procedures. This enables handlers to complete animal
husbandry tasks more quickly and easily, with less risk of
injury to both the handler and the animal.
Transport companies must ensure that drivers have
appropriate knowledge and skills in animal husbandry to
load and unload livestock.
Loading and unloading
Before loading, drivers should undertake a visual check to
ensure all ramps and equipment are safe to use.
Incidents during unloading can arise from a number of
sources e.g. aggressive bulls, unsuitable ramp design.
Ideally, a physical separation should be maintained
between the person(s) loading/unloading and the livestock.
If this is not possible, an accessible escape route should be
identified before moving into the proximity of the animals.
When unloading is complete, ensure all gates are secure.
Fences, gates, raised walkways and ramps
Everyone working at the site needs to know and follow the
procedures for using, accessing and securing fences, gates,
raised walkways and ramps.
Use of plant
Where anyone is operating plant within a stockyard, safe
working methods must be followed. The operator needs to
have been trained in how to use the item safely, with safety
checks and maintenance regularly undertaken. If the plant
is unsafe, it must not be operated and the fault reported.
Lighting
Stockyard areas should be equipped with adequate
lighting. Reporting any defects or required repairs reduces
hazards, especially when working at night or early
morning.
Outside distractions
Distracting and inattentive behaviours while working in
close proximity to livestock, including chatting, smoking
and using mobile phones, may lead to reduced awareness
and a potential increase in the risk of injury.
Personal protective equipment
Everyone must be aware of the requirements for the use
of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while on site, such
as safety harnesses, suitable footwear, sun protection and
high visibility vests. PPE must be clean, in good working
order and used according to manufacturer’s specifications.
Safe working methods
Safe working methods enable employers, stockyard
owners/operators and drivers the opportunity to implement
best practice preventative measures.
Working at heights
Everyone, including contractors, working at heights must:
• follow agreed procedures as per their training
• check the condition of any fall prevention equipment
before starting work
• assess the weather conditions before starting work.
Working alone
Everyone must be aware of the potential hazards of
working alone and follow documented procedures
and emergency arrangements. They must test their
communication equipment before starting work (which
may be a condition of after-hours access to a stockyard).
Further information
The following information is available on the SafeWork SA
website at safework.sa.gov.au
Legislation
Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA)
Codes of Practice
Code of Practice – Managing the Risk of Falls at
Workplaces
Code of Practice – Managing the Risk of Plant in the
Workplace
Code of Practice – How to Manage Work Health and Safety
Risks
Code of Practice – Work Health and Safety Consultation,
Co-operation and Co-ordination
Australian Standards
Australian Standard AS1657 – Fixed platforms, walkways,
stairways and ladders – Design, construction and
installation
© Government of South Australia, 2015 | 0911 JUNE 2015
safe, fair, productive working lives
1300 365 255
safework.sa.gov.au
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Attribution Australia Licence v3.0. For terms see:
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Disclaimer | While care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information
in this publication, at the time of reading it may not be sufficiently accurate, current or complete
to suit your individual needs. Reliance on the information in this publication is at your own risk.
SafeWork SA accepts no liability for any loss resulting from your reliance on it. To best meet your
work health and safety obligations refer to current Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice.