Health and Safety in Shearing (PDF 917kb) - WorkSafe Victoria

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7.1 Overhead gear and shearing plant (continue)Hazard or riskShort gut bayonet joints become worn, causing thesafety clutch to jam when it comes into contactwith the short tube.Poor location of on–off rope causes twisting of theback and stretching when used and makes efficientuse difficult in an emergency (e.g. a shearer losingcontrol of a struggling sheep).Risk controlIt is recommended that the bayonet joint at thedrive end of the short gut be eliminated. Thebayonet joints can be replaced with “Johnno” joints,i.e. a short gut that screws directly into the drive cog.The rope, and therefore the start–stop mechanismon the overhead gear, should be positioned so thatthe shearer, whether left- or right-handed, can reachit without overreaching, twisting or being obstructedby the downtube or any other object. The downtubeshould not interfere with or obstruct the shearer’saccess. The rope should be made of heavy cord strongenough to hang straight down and not be flicked outof reach by the slightest knock. The rope should hangfrom the machine down to the long tube elbow joint.One solution is to attach the free end of the rope toa piece of 25 mm heavy duty PVC pipe. This pipeis slipped over the long downtube. This allows theshearer to pull the PVC tube or rope to stop thehandpiece. The shearer never has to find the ropebecause, irrespective of his position on the shearingboard, the rope is always in easy reach and in thesame position. Do not attach the rope to the pipewith a bale fastener.(Source: WorkSafe WA,http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au/pagebin/solnmanh0002.htm)Before shearing starts, it is important to ensure thatall machinery including overhead gear, downtube andsafety clutch are checked and working effectively.All electric leads and cables should be in goodcondition and be routed to ensure there is no riskof them being cut or damaged.It is recommended that manufacturers consider thefactors in the table in this section during design ofshearing machines. They have a legal duty to do so.Purchasers of shearing machines should not purchaseunsafe machinery.24 Health & Safety in Shearing
7.2 HandpiecesHazard or riskRisk controlA worn out, poorly adjusted or maintainedThe handpiece must be in the best possible conditionhandpiece will vibrate, heat up, cut poorly and put and kept in good working order and worn partsmore physical strain on the shearer, particularly replaced. Where the shearer is paid to supply andtheir hands and arms.* Effects include increased maintain his or her own handpiece the shearer isfatigue and injuries such as sprains and strains, also responsible for keeping it in good order.cuts, “squeaky wrist” from vibration and burns Ensure that a correctly operating safety clutchfrom overheated handpieces. is fitted. (See Section 7.1)Consider new technology when replacing handpieces.* Hand, arm and shoulder injuries account for about half of all shearing compensation claims.7.3 GrindersHazard or riskCombs, cutters or sparks may strike the operator,particularly on the face. Foreign objects propelledfrom the grinder may lodge in the operator’s eye.Rotating discs can fly off the grinder.Exposure to high noise levels in the vicinity ofthe grinder can result in permanent hearing loss.Dust levels near the grinder may also be high.Risk controlSafety glasses that allow good vision must beprovided, used and maintained in good condition.Guards must be provided and maintained.The grinder should be mounted so that the directionof the disc rotation is away from busy work areassuch as the shearing board and wool room, andflammable materials including wool packs.Operators should check that discs are properlysecured before each startup by attempting tosimultaneously rotate discs in opposite directions.Discs, nuts and washers should be compatible withthe grinder.It is also important to check that discs are rotatingin the correct direction. This depends on themanufacturers’ recommendations. Usually there isan arrow on the grinder bearing housing.Except for the one or two persons actively andimmediately using the grinder, no one should bewithin two meters of the grinder.Earmuffs must be provided, used and maintained ingood condition. Dust extractors may be necessaryin some sheds.Health & Safety in Shearing 25
Page 5 and 6: Overview1 What this document is, wh
Page 7 and 8: 4.2 Duties of employeesAn employee
Page 10 and 11: 5.3 Practicable risk controlsThe le
Page 12 and 13: 6.2 Sheep pens and gatesHazard or r
Page 14 and 15: The mesh floor of this pen makesthe
Page 16 and 17: In this pen thebattens are parallel
Page 18 and 19: The pen doors are a good design for
Page 20 and 21: 6.6 Wool and press rooms - hazards
Page 22 and 23: Throwing.There is good circulations
Page 24 and 25: 7 Machinery7.1 Overhead gear and sh
Page 28 and 29: 7.3 Grinders (continued)Hazard or r
Page 30 and 31: 7.5 Shearers’ tools and equipment
Page 32 and 33: 7.8 Electrical safetyIn addition to
Page 34 and 35: 8.2 Shearing and crutchingHazard or
Page 36 and 37: 10 Work in heat and cold10.1 Risks
Page 38 and 39: 12 DustsHazard or riskDusts in the
Page 40 and 41: 14 Diseases from animals (Zoonoses)
Page 42 and 43: 16 First aidArrangements for First
Page 44 and 45: 17 Accommodation, amenities andtrav
Page 47 and 48: AppendicesAppendix 1 - Further info
Page 49 and 50: Other publications and sources• A
Page 51 and 52: ItemNo.Machinery12 Before shearing
Page 53 and 54: Shearing Health and Safety - Risk C
Page 55 and 56: Number oneCatching pen floorsTradit
Page 57 and 58: Number threeRelease chutesTradition

Health and Safety in Shearing (PDF 917kb) - WorkSafe Victoria

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