QRMC’s consultancy work sometimes takes us to some very interesting workplaces that present WHS challenges that are a little outside the ‘norm’. We have undertaken projects in airports, performing arts theatres, local government operations across the country, retail and their supporting large scale distribution centres, water treatment facilities, food processing and the cattle and red meat industry.

When trying to manage WHS in these operations we need to be aware of the workers, the use of contractors, and any interface with the general public. And in the case of the cattle and red meat industry, we also need to be aware of the interface with the cattle and any workers undertaking their operations on horseback (because animals do have a mind of their own).

Let’s consider safety in a Cattle Saleyard in a regional Council.

These facilities serve as hubs for livestock trade. They inherently involve a variety of risks, including those related to animal handling, equipment use, and interactions between workers, contractors, and members of the purchasing public who are visiting. Developing and implementing a robust safety management system (SMS) is critical to maintaining safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.

The key reasons for an SMS are similar to most workplaces, even though the WHS risk profile is very different:

  1. First and foremost, it aims to Protect Workers and Visitors – Saleyards are high-traffic areas frequented by workers, contractors, buyers, and livestock transporters. A well-implemented SMS ensures that all individuals are aware of safety protocols, designated safe pedestrian zones, and emergency requirements such as loose animal management processes.
  2. The SMS should mitigate the risks – including the systematic identification, assessment, and control of hazards, ranging from the use of trucks and heavy machinery, through to the high concentration of human activity, to the more unpredictable animal behaviour.
  3. It fosters Regulatory Compliance – and for saleyards operated by regional councils, an SMS helps then ensure compliance with these legal obligations, while improving public confidence in the facility.
  4. Creates Operational Efficiency – and this should promote smooth operations, reduce accidents and disruptions and minimise downtime.

To be effective the SMS needs to have:

  • A clear commitment to safety from the responsible Council, communicated to all stakeholders.
  • A framework for the identification and evaluation of hazards/risks, with strategies to control or eliminate these risks.
  • A clear understanding of who has what safety responsibilities for the operations onsite.
  • Ongoing monitoring of the safety processes and controls implemented for the risks.
  • Procedures for managing incidents and emergencies.

The challenge lies in designing the SMS to have these characteristics and achieve these requirements whilst also being suitable for the ‘market’. The SMS needs to the suit the Council, and the staff need to understand the SMS and implement its requirements, including when the Saleyard is receiving its cattle at 4am and when it is full of buyers listening to the auctioneer or agent at 8am.

Please contact QRMC for more information or assistance.