Lancashire mart fined after employee killed by dairy bull

A livestock market in Lancashire has been fined £18,000 after an employee was killed when a dairy bull attacked him as a group of animals was being loaded on to a lorry.

The worker was helping to move the bull and four cows towards the livestock wagon at Gisburn Auction Marts, near Clitheroe, on 25 August 2017 when he was attacked.

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At a recent hearing, Preston Magistrates’ Court was told that the bull turned and charged at the employee, causing fatal injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there were no suitable refuges or barriers within the loading area for livestock handlers to shelter behind if animals became aggressive.

‘Easily prevented’

Gisburn Auction Marts Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined and ordered to pay costs of £8,819.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Anthony Banks said: “This incident could so easily have been prevented.

“The bull was able to strike the employee because he had been unable to outrun or outmanoeuvre the bull and was unable to seek protection from any form of refuge or barrier when it began to charge.

“The company should have undertaken a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to identify, and put in place, the appropriate control measures.”

• Clear guidance on how to handle livestock safely and the risks involved is available on the HSE website.