WorkSafe Victoria are encouraging farmers to make achievable changes to ensure the safety of everyone on their farms by providing beef cattle handling safety information, developed alongside key industry stakeholders. 

Earlier this year WorkSafe Victoria released a reminder about the risks of handling cattle in yards after a cow turned back through a partially open gate and the gate struck an employee standing behind it, causing fatal injuries.

Since 2018 there have been three other deaths on Victorian farms due to cattle handling incidents, making it the second most common cause of farm deaths in the state. Additionally, almost one person every week is injured seriously enough while working with cattle to receive workers compensation.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety, Narelle Beer, said they recognise safety is an ongoing process and are working alongside farmers, workers, cattle service providers and the wider industry to help everyone reach at least a basic level of safety and strive for continual improvement.

"WorkSafe is committed to offering practical advice and not leaving farmers and workers with a problem to figure out on their own," Beer said.

"We know every farm is different, that's why we've worked closely with industry to create information that will offer valuable support to those working with cattle on farms."

Speaking in a video with WorkSafe, South Gippsland beef farmer, Peter Miller, said ongoing maintenance was key to safe and efficient yards.

"Yard maintenance is important, why have something that doesn't work? It's just so simple… and it just makes it more enjoyable to work if everything's working the way it should," Miller said.

"It's the least we can do to make them safe for everyone else who's working in there."

The project encourages small improvements for big wins in safety and efficiency, with a focus on yard maintenance, surfaces and gates and latches and includes a printable checklist for evaluating yard safety and identify where improvements should be made.

Further messaging will cover topics such as working alone, loading ramps, drafting, safety conversations, mustering and yard design.

View the new cattle handling information here.