Livestock Haulers
Livestock haulers move cattle, hogs, sheep, horses and poultry in trailers where the cargo is alive and moves. Shifting animals change how the truck handles, and animals can kick, crush or trample workers. Heat, cold, slippery floors and long hauls add risks for both the people and the animals.
- Livestock Drivers
- Farm & Ranch Workers
- Feedlot & Sale Barn Crews
- Packing Plant Staff
Main hazards
- Animal injuries: kicks, bites, crushing against gates and trailer walls, and trampling. Frightened animals are unpredictable. See Farm Safety.
- Load shift and rollover: animals moving to one side raise the center of gravity and make curves and braking dangerous. See Rollovers & Jackknifes.
- Slips and falls on wet manure, ramps and trailer floors, and falls from ramps and gates. See Climbing In & Out.
- Ramp and gate hazards: pinch points, heavy gates and unstable ramps.
- Heat and cold stress on animals and on workers in long hauls. See Heat Illness and Cold Stress.
- Zoonotic diseases that spread from animals to people, such as brucellosis, Q fever, E. coli, salmonella and ringworm. See Biological Hazards.
- Ammonia, dust and odors in confined trailer spaces.
- Fatigue and long hours on rural roads. See Driver Fatigue.
Handling animals safely
- Stay calm and move slowly. Learn animal behavior: stay out of an animal's blind spots, know its flight zone and don't corner it. Avoid shouting, hitting or electric prods that frighten animals.
- Use proper loading ramps, chutes and gates that are sturdy, with non-slip surfaces and side rails, set at a gentle slope. Keep them clean and in repair.
- Stand outside the pen or behind the gate when you can, and use gates and panels as barriers. Don't climb into a crowded pen with large animals.
- Work in teams with agreed signals, and keep an escape route. Never walk behind a horse or large animal without announcing yourself. See Pets & Emergencies for general animal safety.
- Wear steel-toe or sturdy non-slip boots, gloves, long sleeves and a hard hat where appropriate.
- Don't overload trailers. Use partitions and the right density (space per animal) for the species, size and weather, so animals can stand without being crushed. Keep different species, sexes, sizes and aggressive animals separated as practice requires.
On the road
- Do a pre-trip inspection of the truck and trailer, including floors, gates, latches, ramps, ventilation openings and lights. See Pre-Trip Inspection.
- Drive smoothly: brake early and gradually, take curves at lower speeds, avoid sudden lane changes and be careful on ramps and curves. Animals shifting can upset the trailer.
- Allow extra stopping distance and be careful on grades and in wind. See Mountain Grades.
- Keep air moving for the animals: ventilate in heat and protect from wind chill in cold. Don't park for long with a full load in the sun. Check animals at stops.
- Stay within hours-of-service rules and know that livestock haulers may have exemptions or limits depending on the distance. See Hours of Service.
- Follow the federal 28-Hour Law, which generally requires that animals transported by truck be unloaded for feed, water and rest after 28 hours in transit (with some exceptions), as well as state and humane handling rules.
- Know the plan for accidents and breakdowns: contact the owner, authorities and emergency services, and secure escaped animals. See Truck Crash Response.
Hygiene and health
- Wash hands and forearms with soap and water after handling animals and before eating, drinking or smoking. Keep food out of the cab with dirty gloves.
- Wear gloves and protective clothing and change out of dirty clothes and boots before going home. See Take-Home Contamination.
- Clean and disinfect trailers between loads as required, since disease can spread between farms. Follow biosecurity rules.
- Cover cuts, get tetanus shots up to date and see a doctor for fevers or illness after animal contact, telling them you work with livestock.
- Use a respirator or ventilation where ammonia or dust is heavy. See Respiratory Protection.
Livestock hauler checklist
- Ramps, chutes, gates and trailer floors are sound and non-slip
- I handle animals calmly, stay out of kick zones and don't climb into crowded pens
- The load density is right and animals are separated as needed
- I brake and turn smoothly, and I check ventilation and animals at stops
- I follow the 28-hour rule and wash up and change clothes after handling animals
Standards & references
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