Livestock Handling Shearing and Animal Husbandry Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers livestock handling, shearing and animal husbandry activities, including work areas, equipment, manual tasks and emergency response. It supports planning by identifying animal, physical, electrical, environmental and biological hazards that may need to be managed.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan work sequences, communication and emergency arrangements before starting
• Assess access through yards, pens, races and sheds
• Move and handle livestock in controlled work areas
• Catch, restrain and shear animals
• Carry out animal treatment and husbandry tasks
• Handle wool, feed, animals and other materials
• Manage vehicle, mobile equipment and pedestrian interaction
• Use electrical equipment and shearing plant
• Address noise, dust, heat and biological exposure
• Prepare for emergencies, incidents and follow-up reviews

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out livestock handling, shearing and animal husbandry activities.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work — 5. Controlling the risks; p. 29.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Biological hazards — Clinical waste management; p. 88.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.1 How to identify which chemicals are hazardous; p. 15.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination — 3. What is effective consultation?; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work — Provide sufficient breaks while at work; p. 30.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use