Reducing the energy cost of dragging sheep during sheep shearing
- Authors: Payne, Warren , Culvenor, John , Lawrance, Michael , Harvey, Jack , Cowley, Stephen , Stuart, David , Williams, Robyn
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand Vol. 18, no. 2 (2002), p. 173-179
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The task of dragging sheep into position for shearing has been reported by shearers as the most physically demanding and one of the highest injury risk aspects of shearing, particularly with regard to back injury. This study aimed to identify which of the currently used drag paths induced the lowest energy consumption and risk of injury. The drag path with the lowest work economy (oxygen cost per sheep dragged per minute) and highest injury risk is used by left-handed shearers who are shearing from a workstation which is designed for right-handed shearers. Importantly, there were no significant differences in the work economy of the two drag paths which were used most frequently and which involved the lowest injury risk. These data have been used in advocating the adoption of simple shearing shed design solutions to assist in the control of injury risk and energy expenditure in the wool industry.
- Description: 2003000247
Safety in the Victorian thoroughbred horseracing industry
- Authors: Cowley, Stephen , Bowman, Bindi , Lawrance, Michael
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand Vol. 23, no. 5 (2007), p. 421-431
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Employees in the Victorian thoroughbred horseracing industry who work closely with horses are exposed to a significant risk of traumatic injury. Although jockeys are the main focus of attention in this industry sector and in the literature, a large number of injuries are sustained by track riders and stable attendants. Exploratory research into the nature of the injury problem was undertaken and it was found that there is a culture in the Victorian thoroughbred horseracing sector that leads to a greater focus on horses and their performance rather than on the health, safety and wellbeing of employees. Workers are exposed to a significant risk of injury as a result of shortcomings with regard to OHS management, the work environment, equipment, rules and procedures, and training and education. There appears to be little understanding of the mutual responsibilities at shared workplaces and a low level of responsiveness by those in a position to control hazards at training tracks and racetracks.
- Description: C1