Sheep Handling

In recent years, with the number of accidents increasing in agricultural and animal farms, the Australian government has intensified its efforts in propagating farm safety education and awareness campaigns. The concerned authorities have been urging the stakeholders in the shearing industry to make sure that proper protocols are in place so that nothing tragic happens on the premises. 

Keeping that in mind, we have listed a few ways through which the businesses within the shearing industry and farm owners can ensure a safe work environment for the employees involved in sheep handling. 

Safety Tips for Sheep Handling

Here are a few safety measures to implement when handling sheep for rearing:

  • The surface of the walkways and tracks should ensure non-slippage.
  • The yard layout must allow easy and free movement of the sheep. 
  • There should be adequate lighting along with the work areas. 
  • The yards should be built on an inclined surface. It helps in easy drainage, not to mention, the sheep prefer moving or running up the incline. 
  • All equipment should come with safety guards. 
  • There should be minimal noise in the yards. Too much noise or sudden loud sounds might startle the herd causing accidents. 
  • All workers should be provided with protective gear while they are sheep handling.

Other than these, the employees should be educated about the sheep diseases, and the ways those are transmitted so that they can remain safe. At the end of the day, it’s a cumulative effort of the employers and the employees that ensure the absolute safety of the workspace.