WorkSafe develops new guidance to help Victorian farmers work safely with cattle

WorkSafe Victoria has released new guidance on working safely with cattle.

The Beef Cattle Handling Safety Information reminds farmers to put safety first when handling cattle.

According to WorkSafe, cattle handling is the second leading cause of farm deaths in Victoria. Statistics show four people have died in cattle incidents since 2018. On average, one person is seriously injured in an incident involving cattle every week to claim workers compensation.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said the message – ‘it’s the least I can do’ – encourages farmers to "do the right thing" while urging them to focus more on safety when working with cattle.

"We know safety is not a fixed concept, it's an ongoing process and we're 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," Dr Beer said.

For more information, go to the WorkSafe Victoria website.