Woolshed safety in spotlight
It’s not compulsory yet, but moves are afoot to encourage farmers to make sure their woolsheds are safe and up to standard as the shearing industry turns digital to improve health and safety.
The launch of website Tahi Nga¯ tahi also includes a series of videos that wool harvesters and farmers can use to improve their workplace, animal care and productivity.
Project manager Trish Ryan said a day’s shearing used the equivalent energy of running a marathon. The Tahi Nga¯ tahi programme emphasised the importance of shearing-shed workers eating and hydrating well, strengthening and stretching their bodies, and getting enough sleep.
Farmers, contractors and shearers each had a role to play to create a safe workplace and those who watched the videos and completed a test would received a certificate, she said.
Shearing contractors could then show farmers their staff were Tahi Ngatahi certified, while farmers completed the digital woolshed warrant of fitness to ensure their shed was compliant.
‘‘Tahi Ngatahi means one, together, and we can prevent injuries by helping the whole team understand each other’s roles in the shed,’’ Ryan said.
The New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association, Federated Farmers, ACC and Worksafe NZ combined to create the online resource, with ACC providing $1 million over three years for its development.
Although it will be officially launched at the Canterbury A and P Show in November, it has been showcased in workshops throughout the country since July.
ACC statistics show there were 27 injuries per 100 shearing employees in Manawatu last year, with half of those being sprains or strains.
Across the country, there were 755 injuries, resulting in 9300 days lost.
Hunterville contractor Shane Ratima said most injuries were preventable if equipment was regularly maintained.
He’s assessed the health and safety of his woolsheds for about 10 years, but could only provide recommendations to farmers.
With more than 30 short videos, shearers could now access any information they needed, from advice on mental health, to nutrition, and how to safely use a grinder to sharpen gear.
‘‘Hopefully it will lift the game across the country.
‘‘Most of the big contractors around have had some sort of health and safety system, so for a lot of contractors this will be nothing new.
Taihape shearer Dave Sargenson has been a shearer for 40 years, but said long careers in the shearing shed were uncommon.