Product Overview

Summary: This Sheep Shearing Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for conducting shearing safely, humanely and efficiently on Australian farms and shearing sheds. It helps you control the high-risk nature of shearing work—sharp tools, animal handling and fatigue—while supporting compliance with WHS obligations and animal welfare expectations.

Shearing is one of the most intensive and physically demanding activities on an Australian farm, combining high-speed manual work, sharp cutting equipment, close animal contact and often hot, dusty shed environments. Without a structured procedure, businesses face an increased risk of lacerations, musculoskeletal injuries, slips and trips, animal welfare incidents and non-compliance with WHS legislation. This Sheep Shearing Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework that standardises how shearing is planned, set up, carried out and reviewed, so every team member understands the safe way to work in and around the shed.

The SOP addresses the full lifecycle of a shearing operation—from pre-shearing planning, shed preparation and equipment checks, through to safe animal handling, ergonomic shearing techniques, wool handling workflows, fatigue management and end-of-day shutdown. It embeds WHS and animal welfare requirements into everyday practice, making it easier to induct new workers, engage contractors, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and industry bodies. By implementing this document, you not only reduce the likelihood of serious incidents and downtime, but also improve productivity, worker retention and the professional reputation of your shearing operation.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of lacerations, eye injuries and musculoskeletal disorders through defined safe work methods and ergonomic techniques.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and industry expectations for safe, humane shearing practices.
• Standardise how shearing teams are inducted, supervised and managed, improving consistency across sheds and seasons.
• Improve shed efficiency by clarifying workflows, roles and communication between shearers, shed hands and farm staff.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, insurers and clients with a documented, defensible safety procedure for shearing operations.

Who is this for?

• Shearing Contractors
• Shearing Team Leaders
• Wool Shed Managers
• Farm Owners and Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Station Hands and Shed Staff
• Rural Operations Trainers and Assessors
• Agribusiness Risk and Compliance Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Cuts and lacerations from shearing handpieces, combs and cutters
• Entanglement or contact with powered shearing plant and drive mechanisms
• Manual handling and repetitive strain injuries from lifting, dragging and positioning sheep
• Slips, trips and falls on wool, dags, uneven flooring and cluttered shed areas
• Noise exposure from multiple operating handpieces and machinery in enclosed sheds
• Heat stress, dehydration and fatigue during prolonged shearing in hot conditions
• Animal handling risks including kicks, crush injuries and being knocked over
• Electric shock from damaged leads, plugs or shearing plant in damp or dusty environments
• Dust and allergen exposure from wool, lanolin, faeces and shed contaminants
• Psychosocial risks such as high work pace, long hours and remote or isolated work

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Definitions and Applicable Legislation
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Farm Owner, Shearing Contractor, Shearers, Shed Staff, Supervisors)
• 4.0 Competency, Training and Induction Requirements
• 5.0 Required PPE, Clothing and Personal Hygiene
• 6.0 Pre-Shearing Planning and Risk Assessment
• 7.0 Shearing Shed Layout, Housekeeping and Traffic Management
• 8.0 Shearing Plant and Equipment – Selection, Guarding and Pre-Use Checks
• 9.0 Safe Use of Shearing Handpieces, Combs and Cutters
• 10.0 Animal Handling and Restraint Techniques for Safe Shearing
• 11.0 Ergonomic Work Methods and Manual Handling Controls
• 12.0 Fatigue, Heat Stress and Hydration Management
• 13.0 Noise Management and Hearing Protection
• 14.0 Electrical Safety in Shearing Sheds
• 15.0 Wool Handling, Bale Press Operation and Shed Workflow
• 16.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Biosecurity Considerations
• 17.0 Incident, Injury and Near-Miss Reporting Procedures
• 18.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (First Aid, Fire, Electrical, Animal Incidents)
• 19.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Tag-Out of Shearing Equipment
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of machinery (series)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (as guidance for temporary shed power setups)
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 2161 (series): Occupational protective gloves
• Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Sheep (as applicable to humane handling during shearing)