Never enter a pit without precautions. If you suspect high hydrogen sulfide levels for any reason, leave the building immediately. Signs include the presence of sick or dead animals in the area, or a sudden headache or dizziness. The large volume of liquid that must be stored in many manure systems is also a danger. Children and adults can drown in pits, commonly as deep as 8 feet.
Pits typically have either very steep or vertical walls, making escape almost impossible.
Pits are inaccessible if they're covered by slats, and outdoor pits with concrete lids pose few dangers to bystanders or workers. However, the cost of covering pits and the larger size of pits in recent years has lead to increasing use of open pits, both earthen and concrete. Without protection, such as high fences and locked gates, open pits are potential hazards. Another problem may be push-off ramps used in some dairy operations. A strong safety cable at the end of the ramp may prevent a machine from falling into the pit.