Cattle—Additional Facilities Guidelines

In addition to the guidelines (sections 1 through 8) for all establishments that slaughter livestock, the guidelines in the following sections 9 through 19 apply to establishments that slaughter cattle.

9. Cattle Dressing Layout

There are a number of different cattle dressing layouts that can be used in a cattle slaughtering operation. Depending on the number of animals slaughtered, rate of inspection, and number of inspectors, you should carefully consider your options for a layout for slaughter operations.

10. Rail Heights, Distances, and other Slaughter Area Dimensions

To assist you in planning the layout of your slaughter area, the following is a chart for recommended distances including rail heights, rail distances, and other cattle slaughter area dimensions:

TABLE 3.—GUIDELINES FOR DIS- TANCES IN CATTLE SLAUGHTERING ESTABLISHMENTS

ItemVertical distanceHorizontal distance
Bleeding rail (distance from rail to point of application of shackle to shackle foot—4 feet (1.2 m)).16 feet
(4.9 m)
Dressing rails (trolley length—1 foot 3 inches.
(.4 m))		12 feet 3 inches
(3.7 m)
Beef cooler rails (trolley length—1 foot 3 inches. (.4 m))11 feet
(3.4 m)
Moving equipment—heights of conveyor rails, platforms, top of viscera inspection table
Dry landing area in front of stunning pen.7 by 8 feet
(2.1 by 2.5 m)
Curb of bleeding area to pitch plates (no header rails).5 feet
(1.5 m)
Between header rail and carcass washing rail, if parallel.6 feet
(1.8 m)
Between header or washing rails and wall of slaughter- ing room.3 feet
(.9 m)
Between center lines of dressing beds.8 feet
(2.5 m)
Between moving top table and dressing rail at inspector’s platform.5 feet 6 inches
(1.7 m)
Area for sterilizing viscera inspection truck7 by 8 feet
(2.1 by 2.5 m)

Note.—when rails are involved in horizontal distance measurements, the distance is measured from the center of the rail. When rails are involved in vertical distance measurements, the distance is measured from the top of the rail to the highest part of the floor.

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