Understanding the Work: Your Role in Sheep Handling and Shearing

As a dedicated worker involved in sheep handling activities such as mustering, crutching, and shearing, it's crucial to comprehend the risks associated with these tasks. Your active participation in maintaining a safe work environment not only protects you and your colleagues but can also impact potential compensation payments in the event of an accident.

Defining Sheep Handling and Shearing: Your Daily Tasks

Sheep handling encompasses various activities, from lamb marking to shearing. Understanding the scope of your work is the first step in ensuring your safety.

• Tasks Include:
  • Lamb marking and mulesing
  • Jetting, dripping, and drenching
  • Mustering
  • Lifting
  • Shearing and crutching.
    
    

Identifying Risks: Your Awareness Matters

Being aware of the potential risks is vital for your well-being. Recognize the hazards associated with sheep handling and shearing to actively contribute to a safer workplace.

• Risks Include:
  • Physical injuries from various sources, including trips, falls, machinery, and tools.
  • Manual handling injuries such as strains, sprains, and muscle damage.
  • Exposure to hazardous chemicals during certain tasks.
  • Transmission of diseases from sheep to humans.
    
    

Managing Risks: Your Responsibility in Action

Your role in risk management is crucial. Both workers and employers can collaborate to reduce hazards, enhancing workplace safety and potentially impacting compensation outcomes.

For Workers:

• Your Responsibility:
  • Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, you're responsible for your health and safety and that of others.
  • Follow health and safety instructions, use equipment properly, adhere to safe work policies, procedures, and attend training.
    
    

For Businesses:

• Legal Obligations:
  • Employers or Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) have a legal responsibility outlined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
  • A four-step risk management process is essential for meeting WHS laws.
    
    

Four Steps to Manage Risk: Your Guide to Proactive Safety

Embrace the four-step risk management process to actively contribute to a safe work environment, potentially influencing compensation outcomes in case of accidents.

Step 1: Identify the Risk

• Your Involvement:
  • Inspect the workplace and tasks.
  • Communicate with fellow workers.
  • Review available information.
    
    

Step 2: Assess the Risk

• Your Evaluation:
  • Use a risk assessment template to decide on the presence of risk.
  • Evaluate existing control measures and determine necessary actions.
    
    

Step 3: Control the Risk

• Your Active Measures:
  • Substitute hazards when possible.
  • Physically separate from hazards.
  • Use engineering controls or equipment.
  • Be cautious around aggressive rams.
  • Secure shearing equipment and follow hygiene practices.
  • Plan musters carefully and communicate plans to all workers.
  • Utilize dogs and off-road bikes with proper maintenance and safety precautions.
    
    

Step 4: Review Risk Controls

• Your Continuous Involvement:
  • Regularly review control measures.
  • Address issues promptly.
  • Act on worker feedback and changes in the work environment.
    
    

By actively participating in these steps, you not only contribute to a safer workplace but also play a role in potential future compensation payments following a workplace accident or injury. Your commitment to safety is an investment in your well-being and financial security.