Shearing Shed Safety
It might seem that shearing is a long way off, but now is an opportunity undertake all those jobs you were ‘gonna do’ before last shearing. Rather than
leave them until the day before shearing starts.
Can you improve the safety of sheep handling and the shearing shed? Listed are a few things to consider:
- Ensure your steps to elevated sheds or raised boards are wide and non-slip;
- Fit fans for cooling, consider the use of misters;
- Use lift or slide swing gates;
- Install emergency stop buttons on shearing plant and wool presses which can be easily reached;
- Fit shade and shelter to working and drafting races;
- Guards are on all shearing machinery; and
- Next time you are working in the yards or the shearing shed ask the workers about hazards at your place, and their experiences from other properties
which may be helpful in working out the best way to improve work health and safety.
This article is adapted from Shearing sheds in the Farmer’s Guidebook to work health and safety, download a copy https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/136355/Farmers-guidebook.pdf or contact SafeWork SA 1300 365 255
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