LIVESTOCK SAFETY

The purpose of this website is to address livestock handler safety. For the experienced livestock handler, the information here should serve as a reminder. For someone new to the business or a young livestock handler, this information can be used as training material. The focus of this website is on safety of the livestock handler from being hurt when handling and working with farm livestock.

There are several issues of animal safety of which the livestock handler should be aware and informed. Links are provided near the bottom of this page for more information about diseases, allergies, and other risks faced because of human contact with animals. Major issues of animal safety include

• The risk of being hurt physically by an animal that is frightened or has been startled
• The risk of being hurt due to the misuse of equipment or equipment that is poorly maintained
• Developing allergies to animal hair, dander, or secretions such as saliva, urine, and secretions of various glands associated with the skin
• Diseases and microorganisms such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidiosis, Q-fever, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, enteric bacteria and parasites
• Rabies
• Fungi such as those that cause Ringworm
• Chemicals such as those used for the treatment of internal and external parasites

The following brief overviews of safety for livestock handlers were summarized from information presented at the Extension Service websites at Iowa State, Penn State, and Kansas State Universities, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Arizona. These overviews focus on the physical safety of the livestock handler.

• Introduction to Livestock Safety


• Proper Handling of Livestock


• Working Safely With Livestock   (Link to The Ohio State University)


• Animal Handling Safety   An Excellent Compilation of Documents and Links at the University of Arizona's College of Agriculture


• Beef Cattle Safety


• Dairy Cattle Safety


• Horse Safety


• Horse Safety Manual    (Link to the University of Kentucky)


• Sheep Safety


• Swine Safety


• Understanding Flight Zone and Point of Balance   (Dr. Temple Grandin)


• Be Your Own Vet?


• Occupational, Health, & Safety Issues  (Adapted from the University of Arizona)

The University of Arizona Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has an excellent web site with training modules for the safety, care and use of animals. The following specific links are useful in understanding the behavior and handling of farm livestock.

  ** For all of the following links, you will have to use the "Back" button on your browser to return to this page. **

• Cattle - Behavior and Handling   University of Arizona


• Sheep and Goats - Behavior and Handling   University of Arizona


• Pigs - Social Behavior and Warnings to Handlers   University of Arizona


• Pigs - Handling Techniques
   University of Arizona

• Horses - Handling Techniques
   University of Arizona

If you are interested in more information about any of the above species, or the care of dogs, cats, rabbits, nonhuman primates, or rodents, the following link will take you to the University of Arizona training modules table of contents.

Table of Contents for all Species listed   University of Arizona

The Auburn University Office of Animal Resources website can be reached from the following link. This site has links to training in the use, care, and handling of live vertebrate animals including information related to cattle, sheep, and pigs.

Training Resourses at Auburn University

The following sites are excellent resources for more information about diseases, allergies, and other risks because of human contact with animals.

• Center for Food Safety and Public Health   Iowa State University   (Resource for disease agents that threaten food production or public health)
• Zoonotic Disease Fast Facts   Iowa State University
• Risk Analysis Tools   University of California at Davis


• Index of Animal Contact and Possible Health Risks   University of Florida

• Livestock Safety Videos    The Ohio State University


• Animal Handling/Livestock Safety Videos    University of Arizona

• Return to Dr. Schmidt's Homepage
• Go to the Department of Animal Sciences Homepage