11. Dry Landing Area

A dry landing area large enough to accommodate stunned animals removed from the stunning pen should be provided adjacent to the stunning pen. Consider the following guidelines in designing and constructing this area:

  • The area should allow enough room for the livestock.
  • The dry landing area should be located and drained separately from the bleeding area.
  • The dry landing area should be enclosed by a fence high enough and sturdy enough to prevent escape of in adequately stunned animals.

12. Bleeding Area

To contain blood and prevent it from contaminating carcasses, a curbed bleeding area should be provided. Consider the following guidelines in designing and constructing this area:

  • The bleeding area should be located so that blood will not be splashed on stunned animals lying in the dry landing area or on carcasses being skinned on the cradle beds, if they are used.
  • The curb around the bleeding area should be located far enough from the dressing bed or cradle to allow room for the carcasses to be maneuvered in to the bed or cradle.

13. Facilities for Head Removal

To avoid contamination of the carcasses from rumen contents, facilities for head removal need to be carefully designed:

  • Space should be provided for dehorning, flushing, washing, and inspecting heads; for storing heads on racks or trucks after removal from carcasses; and for head workup.
  • When a down hide puller is used, the head drop and head removal area should be curbed and drained .
  • A head wash cabinet should be provided.

14. Facilities for Hide Removal

To limit contamination by hides, a hide chute should be provided near the point where hides are removed from carcasses. Consider the following guidelines when designing and constructing these facilities:

  • The chute should have a hood of sturdy rust-resistant metal with a push – in door closely fitting a metal frame inclined so as to be self-closing. In order to evacuate airborne contaminants from hides such as scurf, dirt, spores, odors, and hairs, a vent pipe should extend from the hood vertically to a point above the roof.
  • Space needs to be provided between hide pulling and carcass evisceration to permit cervical inspection prior to viscera inspection.

15. Facilities for Feet and Udders

Because of the high risk of contamination of carcasses from feet and udders which have been removed from carcasses, special facilities, such as a chute or slide, should be used for transferring these parts to containers. Consider the following guidelines for these facilities:

  • A chute or slide should be used to avoid splashing of milk or other contaminants on to the carcasses, floor, equipment, and personnel.

16. Foot Platforms

Foot platforms installed for establishment employees performing various carcass dressing operations need to be carefully designed and installed to prevent contamination of carcasses. Consider the following guidelines:

  • If elevated foot platforms are used, they should be located so they do not touch skinned portions of the carcass.
  • If stationary platforms are used, they should be set far enough away from the dressing rail to prevent contact with the forelegs of cattle.
  • To provide space for operations and to prevent cross contamination by carcasses, push fingers or rail stops on powered conveyor or gravity flow rails should be spaced far enough apart to prevent contact between carcasses.
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