Why Safety Matters in Yard Design

Why Safety Matters in Low Stress Cattle Yard Design

Designing safe and efficient low stress cattle yards is essential — not just for animal wellbeing, but for the people working in them every day. Whether it's workers, family members, or visitors, safety should be built into the yard from the ground up.

There are several reasons to prioritise safety in your cattle yard design:

• Protecting the wellbeing of workers, family, and visitors

• Meeting legal and regulatory obligations

• Providing a strong legal defence in the event of injury claims

• Improving day-to-day efficiency and productivity

Injuries often occur due to kicks, poorly placed gates, or faulty infrastructure — usually made worse by the unpredictable behaviour of cattle, poor handling techniques, or outdated facilities. While good yard design won’t eliminate all risk, it can drastically reduce it when combined with sound stockmanship and proper gear.

Reducing Risk Through Design

Stress in cattle often leads to worker injuries and also affects meat quality. A well-planned low stress cattle yard helps reduce stress and lowers the risk of accidents. The following design features can enhance both safety and animal flow:

• Use strong, durable materials throughout the structure

• Install gates in positions that prevent entrapment

• Ensure gates are self-latching and easy to operate

• Provide quick and safe escape routes like manways, foot holes, or open rail fencing

• Secure rails with reliable, heavy-duty attachments

• Allow adequate space to prevent overcrowding

• Avoid loud, noisy materials and machinery that stress livestock

• Design yards so cattle can always see a clear exit in the intended direction

• In horse-handled yards, raise cap rails well above rider height

• Eliminate sharp edges, protrusions, or other hazards

• Use non-slip surfaces in all walkways and work zones

• Be mindful of veterinary crush gates and levers as potential pinch points

• For high-use operations, consider layouts that allow stock to be worked from outside the forcing area

• Shape pound drafting gate posts to prevent spearing injuries

• Design to minimise dust buildup in key work areas

• Include a walkway beside every loading ramp

• Keep power lines well clear of where handlers operate on double-deck trailers

• Address shadows and lighting issues that may block animal flow

  
  

Further Safety Information

For the latest workplace health and safety requirements in Queensland, consult the most up-to-date versions of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and relevant amendments. For specific queries, contact the Department of Industrial Relations, Workplace Health and Safety Division.