Manual handling injuries - wear and tear to the back, shoulders, neck, torso, arms and legs - are the main problems to avoid when handling sheep. Awkward postures, working off balance, and strenuous, repetitive and sudden stress movements can cause immediate or gradual strain injuries and conditions.

Spot the hazard

• Take note of sheep handling activities that put strain on any part of the body.
• Unfit, untrained or out of condition workers are most likely to be injured.
• Check sheep yarding, handling and shearing facilities for injury hazards.
• Check injury records for tasks and situations causing most injuries.
• Discuss hazard concerns with other sheep handlers.

Assess the risk

Assess each identified hazard for the likelihood of injury or harm. Assess also the likely severity of injuries or harm. The more likely and serious the potential injury, the more urgent it is to minimise the risks.

Make the changes

The following suggestions are to help farmers and sheep handlers make sheep handling safer:

• Use a yard design that will encourage sheep to work freely.
• Build yards on sloping ground for better drainage.
• Keep shadows to a minimum where not required to provide shade. Build protective coverings over working and drafting races where practical.
• Avoid slippery surfaces, especially in races and forcing yards.
• Keep dust levels at a minimum.

Fitness and health

People working with sheep should:

• Exercise regularly, and eat a well balanced diet to keep fit and maintain required energy levels.
• Read labels on chemical containers carefully, and follow manufacturers' instructions and safety directions.
• Observe recommended withholding periods for drugs or chemicals before stock are slaughtered.

Working with lambs

• When marking and mulesing lambs, use a cradle where feasible. Keeping a firm grip on lambs helps to avoid cuts and chemical spillage.
• Catchers should wear protective gloves.
• Use a work system on cradles that minimises hazards of being cut, sprayed with chemicals or jabbed with a needle.
• Sterilise knives, shears and ear pliers, and ensure operators observe hygiene practices.

Jetting, dipping, drenching

• Choose chemicals that are most efficient and least harmful to humans. Always wear protective clothing, goggles and breathing equipment where specified.
• Use positive air supply hoods. If headaches or other discomforts occur after handling chemicals, seek medical advice and have appropriate health tests. Avoid using those chemicals in future.
• Ensure correct mixing rates are used.
• Keep equipment well maintained, and check regularly to avoid chemical leakage.

Mustering

• Plan the muster. Sheep movement is affected by wind direction, location of water, etc.
• Allow plenty of time. Do not rush stock.
• Use dogs to control the mob. High speed chases on bikes or horses can cause accidents.

Lifting sheep

• If sheep need to be lifted, get assistance where possible.
• When lifting alone, sit the sheep on its rump, squat yourself down, take a firm hold of its back legs while keeping the sheep's head up to restrict movement. Pull the animal firmly against your body, and lift using your legs, not your back.
• If lifting over a fence, do not attempt to drag the sheep over. Rather, work from the same side as the sheep.
• To save lifting, put a drafting gate at the end of the handling race. It is advisable to have several positions for "drop gates" in the race to hold sheep that are to be drafted off.

Rams

• Rams can be aggressive and unpredictable. Treat them with caution.
• When working rams in a race, ensure you are protected from those behind you. This applies particularly when checking testicles, etc. A well-positioned drop gate is useful to reduce the hazard.

Transmittable diseases

• Animals carry diseases that are transferable to humans. Be familiar with the symptoms so you can determine if disease exists in the flock.
• If signs of disease appear, have the disease confirmed and animals tested.
• If the disease is present, treat affected animals appropriately and vaccinate to prevent further occurrence.
• Diseases are transmitted by urine, blood and saliva, and through open wounds (e.g. scabby mouth).
• Keep open wounds covered. Wash well with water, soap and antiseptic if contact is made with urine, blood or saliva from diseased animals.
• Personal hygiene is important at all times.

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