New safety guide for livestock loading facilities

A new safety guide for workers who are in contact with livestock loading facilities has been released to promote safer workplaces and animal welfare.

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) recently published the Guide for Safe Design of Livestock Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards, which is a voluntary document designed to improve workplace safety — especially around loading ramps, which are considered the most dangerous area of livestock holding facilities.

Over recent years, there has been a dramatic change in expectations around workplace health and safety and animal welfare, and new legislation now requires workplace safety risks be controlled as far as is reasonably practicable.

The guide summarises the potential hazards of livestock loading ramps and forcing yards and provides practical examples of ways to control associated risks for different types of facilities.

General principles are identified as well as a series of model ramp designs, ranging from low-cost basic designs for farms to more advanced commercial designs.

The guide was developed by the ALRTA in consultation with industry stakeholders such as animal producers, transporters, saleyards and exporters, equipment manufacturers and safety authorities, as the level of unnecessary risk associated with crushing, lacerations, slips, trips and falls at some facilities was deemed no longer acceptable.

It will be revised every two years to remain up to date with contemporary expectations and best practice.

How to obtain a copy

• Download an electronic copy here.
• To request a hard copy, email office@alrta.org.au

For more information, visit http://alrta.org.au/.