Understanding Stockyard Design: Safeguarding You and the Livestock

In your daily work with stockyards, these large pens serve crucial roles in receiving, temporary housing, and sorting livestock. The importance of their design and maintenance goes beyond efficient operations—it directly impacts the safety of both handlers and livestock.

Key Design Features: Your Guide to Safe Handling

• Utilize Livestock Behavior:
  • Design features that align with natural circling instincts and milling behavior.
  • Ensure livestock feel they can escape without running towards threats.
• Incorporate Technology:
  • Embrace advancements like RFID scanning, weighing, and automated drafting.
  • Enhance productivity while maintaining safety standards.
    
    

Recognizing Risks: Your Vigilance Matters

Poor stockyard design poses significant risks, affecting not only your safety but also the well-being of livestock. Being aware of these risks is paramount in creating a safer work environment.

Risks Include:

• Worker injuries ranging from fractures to crush injuries.
• Increased stress and injuries on livestock.
• Compromised efficiencies in handling, leading to the need for more workers.
• Adverse effects on animal welfare and delayed husbandry practices.
  
  

Taking Responsibility: Your Role in Risk Management

Active participation in risk management is a shared responsibility. Whether you're a worker or part of the management, your commitment is crucial for a safe workplace.

For Workers:

• Your Responsibilities:
  • Prioritize your health and safety and that of your colleagues.
  • Cooperate with management to meet health and safety requirements and reduce risks.
    
    

For Businesses:

• Legal Obligations:
  • Acknowledge legal responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
  • Embrace the four-step risk management process outlined to fulfill WHS obligations.
    
    

Four Steps to Manage Risk: Your Commitment to Safety

Actively engaging in the risk management process ensures a safer work environment, reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Step 1: Identify the Risk

• Your Active Involvement:
  • Regularly assess the suitability and maintenance needs of stockyards.
  • Foster communication with fellow workers to identify potential hazards.
    
    

Step 2: Assess the Risk

• Your Evaluation:
  • Use the provided risk assessment template to determine potential harm and likelihood.
  • Record assessments to guide future actions and improvements.
    
    

Step 3: Control the Risk

• Your Proactive Measures:
  • Follow the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or minimize risks.
  • Implement specific measures for stockyard planning and design.
  • Considerations for current and future workloads.
  • Implementation of self-latching gates and accessible escape points.
  • Attention to yard construction materials and ongoing maintenance.
    
    

Step 4: Review Risk Controls

• Your Continuous Involvement:
  • Regularly review control measures, addressing issues promptly.
  • Proactively adjust your approach to maintain a risk-free work environment.
    
    

By actively participating in these steps, you contribute not only to a safer work environment but also position yourself for potential compensation in case of workplace accidents or injuries. Your commitment to stockyard safety safeguards not just your immediate well-being but secures a foundation for your long-term financial security.

Checklist for Reviewing Risks: Your Tool for Ongoing Safety

Use the checklist below to aid in reviewing risks associated with stockyard design and maintenance:

Design | Yes | No

• Are receiving yards big enough for expected mob sizes?
• Are there any blind spots in the yards that could cause stock to baulk?
• Are all gates in good working order, able to be secured while both open and closed?
• Are gate latches in good working order, mounted at an appropriate height?
• Are there any projecting bolts, nails, or wire that could cause injury?
• Is the yard an appropriate size for the classes of stock being handled?
• Does the rail spacing allow safe access to animals for tasks like vaccinating?
• Are watering points and troughs in sound order and positioned safely?
• Are there options for dust control, including water systems?
• Are water pipes placed to avoid creating trip hazards?

Regularly reviewing these aspects contributes to an ongoing commitment to health, safety, and risk prevention in stockyard operations.