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

First aid trainingIt is recommended that employers and employeesensure that in every shearing shed and at shearers’quarters there is at least one adequately trained firstaider. The Code provides guidance on adequatetraining.Everyone in the shed and in shearers’ quarters mustknow and understand arrangements for first aidincluding:• the location of first aid kits,• who is trained in first aid• what to do when first aid is required• what to do when it is necessary to call anambulance or transport an injured person to ahospital or medical centre.The above advice can be passed on to workers duringthe briefing referred to in Section 5.5 Before shearingstarts.Institutions which train wool classers and shearingshed overseers should be encouraged to includeappropriate first aid training as part of theircurriculum.In view of the high incidence of back injuries in theshearing industry, preventative measures such asappropriate exercise and postures must be usefullyincluded in any shearing industry first aid course,and shearers and shed hand training courses.Sheds and shearers’ quarters in remote locationsThe distance of the workplace from ambulance,hospital and medical centres or occupational healthservices is important.The time taken for medical aid to reach the casualty ismore significant than distance. For sheds and shearers’quarters in remote locations additional first aidfacilities and services should be provided. Where poorroads and adverse weather conditions may apply,facilities for aerial evacuation of injured or ill peopleshould be considered. Efficient communicationssystems should be available for ensuring optimumresponse times.Flesh needlesThere may be a risk of transmitting disease throughthe current practice of sharing flesh needles. Eitherthe practice should stop or a container of effectivedisinfectant should be placed on the shearing boardand the needle and attached thread thoroughlywashed before and after use. Disinfectant placed in allcomb and cutter wash up water is recommended as ameans of reducing infection of minor cuts on shearers’hands. It may also help reduce cross infection ofconditions such as ‘cheesy gland” between sheep.SummaryThe above are minimum recommendations and shouldbe implemented before the commencement of shearingat each shed.The responsibility for adequate first aid arrangementsin the shed and shearers’ quarters rests with the ownerand/or manager.Health & Safety in Shearing 41