Are you thinking about renovating an existing shearing shed or building a new one? AWI lists issues to consider and provides detailed recommendations when proposing the construction of a new shearing shed or the renovation of an existing one.

AWI's shearing shed guidelines provide information about shed design so growers and shed builders can make informed decisions about building or renovating a shed.

The guidelines include information about design elements, dimensions, technology and key issues such as productivity and occupational health and safety.

Careful planning and designing of new sheds or renovating existing ones can: 

• improve the efficiency (and thus reduce costs) of the wool harvesting operation;
• make the job easier; and
• improve operator safety.

Alert - Guard Rails on Raised Shearing Boards - September 2006

A decision in the NSW Supreme Court of appeal on the 21 July 2006 has signalled to woolgrowers the importance of placing a guard rail on raised shearing boards.

The decision was in relation to a case where a shearer had fallen off the raised board while attempting to fit his shearing harness and subsequently sustained injuries. The issue for woolgrowers with raised shearing boards is that the judges determined that there was a foreseeable risk of injury of falling from the raised board and hence that a reasonable response was to fit a guardrail.

See information on raised shearing boards plus dimensions for a guardrail compiled by Michael Lawrance & Associates P.L. 

Disclaimer

AWI strongly suggests that when considering alterations and/or building of a new shearing shed that you consult with your local government authority and obtain appropriate engineering and building advice to conform with local and state regulations. It is also vital that you consult with your state based Workcover Authority for relevant information in relation to Health and Safety.

The guidelines will be regularly updated as new ideas, information or contacts come forward. If you have any contributions or feedback please contact AWI Program Manager on (02) 8295 3100.