Livestock Handling Shearing and Animal Husbandry SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers livestock handling, shearing and animal husbandry activities from planning and yard preparation through to animal work, cleaning and sign-off. It supports work planning and risk management for animal behaviour, vehicles and plant, chemicals, biological exposure, slips, manual handling and sharp equipment.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan work, complete induction and prepare yards and access
• Inspect plant and vehicles and unload animal feed deliveries
• Operate feeding systems and herd livestock
• Use stockyards, crushes and dairy or milking areas
• Handle poultry and small animals
• Use motorbikes or side-by-side buggies for mustering
• Prepare sheep, shear sheep and remove fleece
• Treat animals, slaughter livestock, clean down and sign off

Who is this for?

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

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Use applicable adopted Codes of Practice as practical guidance; model Codes do not automatically have legal effect in every jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks.
• Model Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace, including risk identification, hierarchy of controls, maintenance and traffic movement controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work; manage exposure above 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h or 140 dB(C) peak.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.
• Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace.
• Relevant technical guidance: AS/NZS 2210.3 safety footwear, AS/NZS 1270 hearing protectors, AS/NZS 1337.1 eye protectors, AS/NZS 1716 respiratory protective devices, AS/NZS 3760 electrical equipment inspection and testing, AS/NZS 4836 electrical safety, and manufacturer instructions.
• Rural plant guidance supports eliminating hazards at planning stage, using side-by-side vehicles instead of quad bikes where suitable, and fitting ROPS/FOPS to rural mobile plant.

---

Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections