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Safe cattle yards: Gates and latches

Easy to use gates and latches can be the difference between life and death. Use this quick guide to check the safety of the gates and latches in your cattle yard.

Shape

Assess the safety of your cattle yard gates and latches

 

Unsafe  

  • Gates are heavy and difficult to move.
  • Gates drag on the ground.
  • Latches are hard to use.
  • Latches do not catch or can’t be effectively secured shut.
  • Latches that release when kicked or struck.
  • Sharp edges, protruding catches, bolts or wire.
  • Gates positioned in areas where people can get stuck between gate and rails
 

Basic safety  

  • Gates are checked before working in yards to make sure they swing easily.
  • Gates have space to swing above the ground.
  • Latches can be opened and closed easily.
  • Latches catch and close securely.
  • Latches remain securely closed when kicked or struck.
  • Smooth edges, no protruding catches, bolts or wire.
  • Escape routes and man gates built into yards.
 

Best practice  

  • Gates and hinges are regularly checked and maintained.
  • Gate posts are strengthened with ties to reduce gate dropping.
  • Self-latching gates.
  • Chains are used as a secondary locking mechanism for self-latching gates.
  • Remote controlled air gates.
  • No other distractions such as fabric, pieces of hose attached to gates.
  • Sliding gates operated from outside the yard.

Improve the safety of your cattle yard gates and latches

Choose latches that are secure and easy to use

Think about the position of your gates

You can be seriously injured if you are standing behind a gate that gets kicked by a cow.

When drafting cattle, avoid being in with the cattle. If this is not possible with your current yard design, ensure there are accessible escape gates or pre-identified escape routes that don't require climbing over or under fences.

Talk to the people who use your yards

People who work in many different yards are a great resource. Having safety conversations with the different people who use your yard can help you identify hazards and solutions.

If you are an employer you also have a duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) to consult with your employees and contractors about health and safety. You can do this by making safety conversations a normal part of how you work.

Your responsibilities under the law

As a farmer you may be self-employed, employ people, or manage and control a farm. Regardless, you have duties under the OHS Act which can include ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable:

  • you provide a farm that is a safe working environment without risks to the health of your employees and contractors
  • your farm activities don't expose persons other than employees, for example family, or visitors, to health and safety risks
  • that people, including people making deliveries on the farm, can enter and leave the farm safely, and without risk to their health
  • you consult with your employees and contractors about health and safety on your farm

More information and advice

Working safely with cattle - Gates and latches

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