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Manure Handling Around Livestock

Manure is part of every livestock farm, and so are its hazards. Gases, slippery floors, machinery and germs all call for planning, especially around storage pits and tanks.

What are the main manure hazards?

Stored manure can release gases as it breaks down, and some of those gases are dangerous to people and animals in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Agitating or pumping manure can release more gas quickly. People have been seriously hurt and killed by manure gas, and some of those people were trying to help someone else.

Other hazards include slips on wet floors, machinery such as scrapers, pumps and spreaders, drowning in open storage, and germs in manure that can cause illness.

This article describes hazards in general terms only. It does not give gas limits, rescue steps or equipment specifications. Those come from official sources and trained instructors.

Why are pits, tanks and enclosed spaces so dangerous?

Manure storage can become a confined space where air is unsafe, and a person can lose consciousness without warning. Do not enter a pit, tank or similar space unless you are trained and equipped, and follow official guidance. Treat any entry as a task for trained people with proper procedures.

If someone collapses in or near a manure space, call 911 immediately. Do not enter to rescue them. Many would-be rescuers have been hurt because they entered an unsafe space. Ask a recognized training provider about confined space rescue. Ask your local fire department whether it offers awareness training for confined spaces, and whether it has rescue capability for your area.

• Do not enter pits or tanks without training and equipment
• Never enter to rescue someone; call 911
• Keep children and visitors away from storage
• Ask about confined space training

How does ventilation and agitation matter?

Ventilation affects whether gas collects in a building. Agitating and pumping can release gas quickly, so plan these tasks with the manufacturer's directions, your extension office and OSHA or NIOSH guidance in mind.

Keep animals and people out of buildings when you agitate, as instructed by official guidance. Ask your extension office for the current recommendations for your type of system. Post warning signs at pits, tanks and building entrances in a form that every worker and visitor can understand.

How do I avoid slips, drowning and machine hazards?

Fence and cover storage structures and keep them locked or guarded so that children and visitors cannot reach them. Open lagoons and pits present drowning hazards, and edges can be unstable.

Machinery needs guards, working shutoffs and trained operators. Follow the manufacturer's manual, and lock out power before cleaning or repair as instructed. Wear footwear with traction and keep walkways free of buildup. Children are especially at risk around open storage, so fencing and locked access matter more than reminders.

Make sure every worker knows where storage structures are, what they hold and who is allowed near them.

How can I reduce germ exposure?

Manure can carry germs that make people sick. Wash hands with soap and water after work and before eating, keep food away from manure areas and cover cuts. Keep work clothes and boots separate from clean living areas.

Ask your veterinarian and local health department about specific germs of concern in your area. Teach children and visitors to stay out of manure areas and to wash up if they touch anything.

Ask your doctor about vaccines and checkups that suit farm work, such as tetanus.

What about manure on the farm and in the environment?

Rules for storing and spreading manure, including setbacks from water and neighbors, vary by state and county. Check with your state agriculture or environmental agency and your extension office before building, expanding or spreading.

Spreading near roads and waterways affects the public. Plan loads and timing to keep roads clean and traffic safe. Keep records of applications and storage if your state or program requires them.

What training and planning should I do?

Include manure hazards in your regular safety talks. Make sure all workers, including seasonal and family workers, know the basic rules. Keep emergency numbers posted and share the farm's address clearly.

Look for hands-on training offered by extension, agricultural safety organizations and the fire service in your area. See the NIOSH agriculture page and OSHA for current resources. Include family members who help seasonally, and review the rules before each busy season.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.