Shearing is a high-risk task if proper practices are not followed. A wide range of injuries can appear, and this may lead to an unsatisfactory workforce. As you can understand, the number of sick employees increases along with the cases of burnout.

What every shearing farm must remember is that sanitary practices undertaken physically are liked to overall success. The business growth often lags behind when the farms fail to offer basic facilities and training.

So, here are a few things you should implement to keep your shearing business functional.

Create a Health and Safety System

  • Identify, assess and manage potential risks
  • Monitor exposure  of health risks
  • Manage health emergencies
  • Report injuries and incidents

For enabling a secure workplace, you should inform, train and instruct employees. Appoint a leader for each team, provide formal training and ensure workers are skilled to carry out the tasks.

PPE for Controlling Risks

Personal protective equipment is necessary for handling risk. The farm needs to minimize risks by considering PPEs. Besides the protective gear, the right clothes and footwear are equally important.

  • Moccasins, earplugs and proper clothing for shearing
  • Earmuffs and safety glasses for grinding
  • Appropriate footwear and clothing for wool handling

Provision for Amenities and Facilities

Handwashing facilities are a basic necessity of any shearing farm.  The management needs to install hand basins, provide clean hand towels.  Adequate supply for cold and hot water is another essential thing to make sure of.  

In addition to it, clean, private, maintained and secure toilets must be accessible for every worker. The post-shearing and after-toilet hand washing facilities should be separately installed.

Educating the Shearers

It is important to educate employees about hygienic practices and inform them about the necessity of staying clean. They should develop hygienic habits such as using deodorant and taking regular showers.

Personal care remains one of the most underrated aspects of the whole operation. If the shearers maintain healthy practices, they can eliminate the risks of transmission and maintain their mental wellbeing.

The Bottom

In essence, lack of information remains a critical issue for almost every shearing farm. If you face the same problem, we can help implement the health and safety policy.