Incidents involving falls from cattle crates

Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a duty to ensure workers are not exposed to health and safety risks, including the risks associated with loading and unloading cattle. The most effective control measure is to eliminate the hazard or hazardous work practice associated with workers accessing a trailer when loading or unloading. Higher order risk controls include designing plant or structures to be without risks to the health and safety of any person.

Businesses must consider various control options and choose the control(s) that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk in the circumstances. This may involve a single control measure or a combination of different controls that provide the highest level of protection. These can include but are not limited to the following.

Work on the ground or solid structure

Operators should aim to undertake as much work at ground level or as low as possible to reduce the need to work at height. Possible solutions include:

• Using external walkways/gantry or cross loading structures where facilities are available.
• Enhancements to cattle crates so work can be done from the ground or solid structure. examples include:
  • Pneumatic/hydraulic remote operated gates/ramps.
  • Remotely operated internal gate.
  • Internal monitoring camera systems (fixed, remote or wireless).
  • Fold down walkway level with lower deck.
  • Installing hinge blocks on through loading gates that prevent gates opening wider than 90 degrees.
• If a worker needs to work at height the provision of an adequate work area, including appropriate edge protection where reasonably practicable, so the operator can safely stand and undertake tasks.

Operator access

Ensure secure and easy movement of operators and others around the crate to undertake various tasks. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Ladders and access points around the crate having:
  • adequate hand and foot hold depth and dimensions plus ladder width.
  • consistent spacing and uniformity in design.
  • proper positioning of ladder and handles or cut-outs to transition areas.
  • sufficient lighting on the access way and around the trailer.
  • handholds and footholds that do not trap contaminants and remain non-slip in all weather conditions.
• Using non-slip, easy to clean and non-bruising materials.
• Designing better effluent and water drainage to minimise mud, pooling and slippery floors.

Maintenance

Ensure there is a schedule for regular maintenance of the crate’s components according to the manufacturer’s specifications, including but not limited to gates, hinges, springs, ladders, pins, latches and slam shut mechanisms to ensure all components work reliably and effectively, separating cattle from operators.

Regularly cleaning walkways, ladders and work areas to reduce the risk of slips.

Safe System of Work

Design and implement a safe system of work. The safe system of work needs to include documented risk assessments to control the risks associated with loading and unloading cattle and cattle crates, so far as is reasonably practicable. This could include, but are not limited to:

• Consultation between cattle transport operators and other supply chain parties such as saleyard operators, feedlots and regular clients.
• Coordination of delivery with other parties for example abattoirs, saleyards.
• Ensuring workers are trained and experienced in anticipating unpredictable animal behaviour and in safely loading and unloading of cattle using cattle crates. An operator’s training, induction and supervision should include:
  • Understanding animal behaviour and low stress animal handling approach and techniques to ensure a smooth flow and best practice handling of cattle by competent livestock handlers.
  • Layout of crate and using safe loading procedures.
  • How to report safety hazards and incidents.
• Ensuring workers are provided with sufficient information, instruction and training to ensure they know how to safely operate crates including but not limited to the set-up of internal and rear gates and fold-down walkways, and where the operator should stand whilst performing through loading.
• Retaining all operating manuals and instructional material provided by the manufacturer to correctly operate and maintain the plant.

Any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) for example, suitable footwear and high visibility vests. PCBUs should consider providing clear advice to workers about design features to look for in their footwear that suits their work environments and tasks. This can include but not limited to non-slip performance on both wet and dry surfaces and a well-defined tread pattern.

Administrative control measures and PPE rely on human behaviour and supervision. If used on their own, they are least effective in minimising risks. The control measures you put in place should be reviewed regularly to make sure they work as planned.