Shearing - Best practice guideline New Zealand shearing industry

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Part two: guidelines for the provision of facilities and general safety in shearing work

4. Working in the shearing shed

4.1 work in heat and cold

Hot or cold working conditions can have significant impacts on the safety and health of all shed workers. All practicable steps should be taken to reduce the risk of these conditions affecting the abilities of the shearing team.

Improving the design of new sheds and improving the ventilation, insulation and shade of existing sheds will help to reduce the effects of heat on the shearing team. Installation of vents on the shed roof helps to increase ventilation and air movement. The addition of windows that open and close adjacent to the work areas and on opposite sides of the shed helps to increase ventilation. Where portable fans are used; power points, leads and cables need to be properly placed and located to avoid electrical and tripping hazards.

The effects of cold on shed workers can be reduced by ensuring the orientation of the 'let go' chutes is away from prevailing cold winds. Changing the orientation may help to reduce shearer's back pain. Plastic strips or removable flap doors on the `let go' chutes can reduce cold draughts.

4.2 vapours, fumes and gases

Fumes, smoke, exhaust gases and particulates produced by petrol and diesel motors in the shed are a health hazard. Use electrically-driven equipment where possible. Motors should be located outside the shed to minimise exhaust gases and fumes entering the shed. Ensure motors are in good repair and well maintained. Good ventilation within the shed helps to minimise the effects of fumes and gases.

Ammonia from stock urine has an unpleasant pungent odour and is an irritant gas. Limit ammonia fumes by regularly cleaning out manure from under the shed. Ensure there is adequate drainage and keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Good ventilation under the shed helps to dry the area and disperse fumes.

4.3 dusts

Dusts in the yard and shed can initiate asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses in susceptible individuals. Spray yards with water to settle dust before yarding sheep. In raised sheds, restrict sheep from camping under the shed to reduce the level of airborne dust.

4.4 protective clothing and equipment

Employers should ensure that where necessary, employees are protected from exposure to hazards through the use of suitable protective clothing and equipment. The clothing worn should be appropriate for the job tasks and include suitable footwear that covers the whole foot. Shearing footwear improves grip and stability, decreases the risk of slipping and falling, decreases fatigue and protects the feet.

4.5 chemicals and hazardous substances

Many chemicals used in wool growing are hazardous substances. Exposure to hazardous substances can have serious and permanent effects on health that can also be life-threatening. It is important to remember that shearers are in direct contact with sheep for eight or nine hours a day.

Hazardous substances include:

pesticides used in internal and external parasite control
chemicals used for blowfly and lice control
footrot control chemicals
herbicides/insecticides used in cropping and pasture management
solvents
rodenticides.

Hazardous substances, protective equipment and clothing should be stored away from the woolshed and in accordance with current guidelines. In some cases they can be stored in sheds if the proper safety procedures are followed. All unwanted, out-of-date or banned hazardous substances should be removed from the woolshed and disposed of in accordance with current guidelines. There should be no chemical work done in the shed.

Treatment of blowfly is to be undertaken outside of the shed by the farmer. Shearers should not do this work. Ensure that withholding regimes are followed after treatment of stock so that no workers are exposed to residue in wool. Footbaths must be located away from the work area of the shed and designed to ensure spray or fumes do not drift into the shed.

4.6 disease from animals (zoonoses)

Zoonoses are diseases transmitted from animals to humans. They may occur as a result of working with animals or animal products. Cuts, scratches and grazes as a result of watching and shearing activities are particularly susceptible to infection. Sources of infection may include sheep urine and manure, maggots and lice. The most common diseases transmitted from animals to humans are:

orf - a disease that causes lesions on hands and forearms, commonly known as 'scabby mouth'. The main preventative measure is to keep all cuts and grazes covered, and avoid contact with infected stock. Sheep with an active outbreak of orf must not be shorn or crutched until their condition is resolved. Remove infected animals.
leptospirosis - a very debilitating disease that can cause prolonged illness. People are infected by contact usually through the skin or any mucous membrane from infected urine. Ensure cuts and grazes are covered with waterproof dressing.

It is essential that good sanitary amenities such as clean running water and hygienic toilet facilities be provided to promote good hygiene practices and to reduce the risk of infection.

4.7 wool abscesses

Wool abscesses are caused by wool fibres, particularly short second cuts, penetrating the clothing and getting into the milk ducts and sebaceous glands. These can cause infections and form abscesses on the breast. Wet fleeces and greasy or dirty wool also seem to contribute to the problem. One solution for women is to wear an appropriate specially designed bra made of material that stops the wool fibres penetrating is available. Other commonly used preventative measures include putting plastic wrap or placing nursing pads down the bra. Shearers are also subject to wool abscesses (wool maggots) between their fingers. It is, therefore, important to wash thoroughly between the fingers.

4.8 first aid

First aid facilities should be provided, maintained and be accessible to all employees involved in the shearing industry. This may mean that first aid kits need to be carried in work vehicles. The majority of shearing operations are carried out in isolated areas; employers should ensure that all employees have a basic understanding of the principles of first aid. First aid kits must be available and easily accessible in both the shearing shed and shearing quarters.

The majority of accidents that happen around the workplace are lacerations, strains and sprains. You should ensure your first aid kits are well equipped for these. Remember a first aid kit is for stabilising an injured person until professional help is received.

4.9 noise

Exposure to noise levels above a daily average exposure of 85 db(a), (over no more than 8 hours a day and no more than 40 hours per week) or a peak noise of 140 db is likely to cause people with unprotected hearing to suffer noise-induced hearing loss. Typical noise levels associated with the shearing industry are as follows:

bench grinder - 90 to 95 db(a)
woolshed during shearing - up to 97 db(a).

It is recommended that monitoring of employee health in relation to noise exposure is carried out even if employees use appropriate hearing protection. This monitoring should be carried out at least every two years.

All practicable steps should be taken to reduce noise at its source, and when buying new machinery the quietest machinery should be obtained. Appropriate hearing protection should be provided for employees and others in the place of work who are likely to suffer from noise-induced hearing loss.

4.10 Training of employees

The employer or person in control of the workplace should ensure that no person carries out any work unless they have been instructed in the hazards associated with the work and the precautions to be taken in relation to these hazards.

Unless the employee has the skills to carry out the work without risk to safety or health, then the employer or person in control of the workplace should ensure that a person who does have the skills closely supervises the employee.

4.11 hazard management

Effective hazard management is the key to ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. Identifying the hazards is an ongoing process as hazardous situations arise continually in every-day work. Employers should have methods of identifying, assessing and managing both new and existing hazards in the workplace. Employees should work in accordance with best work practices in order to prevent hazards arising and harm occurring to any person.

4.12 physical and physiological demands

Shearing and wool handling is a very physical job which requires long hours of work and the continuity of work is uncertain. It is recommended that a rest period be taken after every thirty days of continuous work by an employee.

The length of the rest period is up to the employee but a minimum one day stand-down period is advised.

It is common in the industry to work between the hours of 5.00 am to 6.00 pm. This may alter (by mutual agreement between all parties) due to an early cut out or a late cut to ensure the completion of a job.

It is recommended that shearers work no longer than a two-hour run duration at any one time with a fixed known rest period, i.e. smoko 30-minute break and lunch 45 to 60-minute break.

The physical and physiological demands on an employee can alter throughout the day, due to changes in climate and sheep type, machinery failure, inadequate workplace or facilities, or even a conflict of interest with fellow employees, employer or woolgrower.

There are also many other physical and physiological factors outside of the workplace that may have an impact on an employee's performance at work. These could start at home or recreationally, or result from financial problems,

sleep deprivation, nutritional problems, behavioural relationships, alcohol and drug abuse or personal health problems.

If an employee suffers from any of these conditions and you feel it may affect your work or others work performance, report it to either a leading hand or management as soon as possible.

The key to dealing with these issues is prevention, recognition and intervention.

Good communication between employee, employer and woolgrower or even mentor is essential.

Together

Everyone

Achieves

An employer has a duty to monitor, assess and recommend periods of rest to employees. This is especially true in shearing due to the physical demands of the job. Employees' capacity to absorb these requirements varies from person to person and from task to task. No set periods of continuous employment can be defined or length of rest advised. The employer must assess employees on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all the variables and possible contributing factors that could lead to injury. Again, good communication is essential.

Examples of contributing factors:

Individual factors - Things about a person that they can change (e.g. diet, fitness, sleep) and things they cannot change (e.g. age, strength, height).

Psychosocial factors - How a person thinks and what they believe about things that are happening at home or at work (e.g. money worries, relationship issues, lack of work support, and unrest in the team).

Work organisation - How work is arranged, delegated and carried out (e.g. number of days worked, pace of work, rest breaks and numbers of employees to do the job).

Workplace layout/awkward postures - The woolshed set-up and design and the working positions and how people adapt to them (e.g. having to move sheep forward to the shearing position after the drag).

Task invariability - The amount a task changes over time (e.g. insufficient variety of tasks, or repetition of tasks such as a wool handler being continually left at the wool table to skirt fleeces).

Load/Forceful movements - The objects being handled and the forces being applied (e.g. working with extremely big or heavy sheep for a prolonged period, use of a manual press, stacking of bales).

Environmental issues - Where the work takes place and the conditions in which people work (e.g. extremely cold or hot weather, vibrating overhead machines).

It's important to understand that it is often a combination of factors, rather than any one particular factor in isolation, that causes discomfort, pain or injuries. Even fit and strong people can develop these conditions if they are exposed to the risk factors.

NOTE: Minor aches and pains are a common part of shearing life. Early reporting is encouraged because it can lead to a quick identification of those factors that may be contributing to discomfort, pain and injury and enable actions to be taken to 'nip it in the bud'.

5. Accommodation, amenities and travel

The employer should provide and maintain, as far as practicable, a working environment where employees are not exposed to hazards. This extends to the accommodation and amenities provided and the travel between the quarters and the shearing shed.

5.1 buildings

Buildings must be in sound structural condition, habitable, adequately ventilated and able to cope with temperature extremes. Steps should be in good order with all weather non-slip treads and adequate handrails. These areas must have adequate lighting at night. Safe entry and exit from buildings is essential.

5.2 fire

Fireplaces and heaters need to be properly constructed and guarded and must not be used for drying clothes. Adequate smoke detectors, fire alarms, extinguishers, signs, emergency exit procedures and need to be in place as necessary.

5.3 electrical safety

All electrical installations and any electrical modification or maintenance must comply with the Electrical Regulations 1993. Wiring and power leads must be safely routed to eliminate tripping and electrical hazards.

5.4 cleaning

All work areas require regular and proper cleaning, maintenance and where necessary, disinfecting to ensure good health and hygiene. This particularly applies in eating, cooking, laundry, bathroom, washing and toilet areas. Employees have a responsibility to practice good hygiene and keep work areas clean. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure proper cleaning. Arrangements for cleaning and maintaining hygiene should be worked out and agreed upon before shearing starts.

5.5 water

Adequate, cool and clean drinking water must be readily available at all times. An adequate supply of hot water should be provided for showers, baths, and hand basins, washing clothes and cooking.

5.6 eating areas

Adequate seating and tables for all employees must be provided in eating areas. Adequate seating helps reduce stress on the backs of workers. If practical there should be adequate lighting and ventilation in eating areas. There should be a separate and suitable eating area in or adjacent to the shearing shed for health and hygiene reasons.

5.7 kitchens, food preparation and storage areas

Kitchens and other areas used for food preparation and storage need to be properly set up and laid out to ensure good hygiene, safety and health. Bench space, sinks, stoves, refrigeration, lighting, ventilation and food storage need to be adequate. Food preparation, handling and storage practices must ensure good health and hygiene. There must be adequate hot and cold water and outflows and drains.

5.8 sleeping quarters

Sleeping quarters must be suitable to ensure that employees can obtain sufficient rest. They should be of adequate size, clean and habitable. Five square metres of floor space per person is recommended, as is sound insulation in walls between rooms. Adequate ventilation and lighting is necessary. Adequate beds and mattresses must be provided.

5.9 washing, toilet and laundry areas

Adequate washing facilities and toilets must be provided at shearing sheds. At shearing quarters adequate washing and bathing/shower facilities and flush toilets must be provided. Separate, private and secure flush toilets and bathing/shower facilities must be provided. Adequate laundry facilities must be provided for washing clothes including washing machines and hot water. Lighting, hot and cold water and outflows and drains must also be provided in these facilities.

5.10 travel

All employers have a responsibility to ensure all vehicles transporting employees to their place of work are safe, clean and roadworthy, and meet Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) regulations.

Employees operating work vehicles must hold a current driver's licence, demonstrate safe driving and good road safety habits.

Before nominating a driver, consider the possibility of driver fatigue, taking into account the number of continuous days the driver may have worked and total hours of work that day.

Driving should be completed within one hour of the driver finishing work for the day.