Health and safety in shearing

What it contains

Shearing is a high-risk job. Shearers experience a wide range of injuries. These injuries may be caused by sprains and strains, slips, trips and falls, exposure to noise, dust and chemicals and injuries and diseases from animals. This document tells you:

• common injuries suffered by shearers
• why good workplace health and safety practices are important
• employer and employee and contractor responsibilities
• occupational health and safety regulations and codes of practice
• how to identify common shearing risks and hazards
• how to assess, reduce or eliminate risks before and during shearing
• how shearers can contribute to their own health and safety
• first aid for shearers, including injuries in remote locations
• safe accommodation for shearers

At the end of the document there is:

• a Health and Safety ‘Walk Through’ Assessment Checklist
• a Risk Control Worksheet
• Shearing Shed Design Notes