NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR RAMPS AND FORCING YARDS – NOW AVAILABLE
The ALRTA is pleased to announce that the final version of the national ‘Guide for Safe Design of Livestock Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards’ is now available to all interested parties free of charge.
The Guide was officially launched at the ALRTA National Conference on 3 July 2015, following a public consultation period of four weeks. The guide was also launched in Victoria last weekend at the Livestock and Rural Transporters of Victoria Annual Conference in Bendigo.
Sixteen formal submissions were received with strong support from prominent organisations such as Cattle Council of Australia, Livestock Saleyards Association of Victoria, Workcover NSW and RSPCA Australia. The final guide has been revised in response to specific stakeholder suggestions.
“The purpose of the voluntary guide is to promote safer workplaces for people in contact with livestock loading facilities and to improve animal welfare outcomes. It summarises the potential hazards of livestock loading ramps and forcing yards and practical examples of ways to control associated risks for different types of facilities”, said ALRTA National President, Grant Robins.
“General principles are identified as well as a series of model ramp designs, ranging from low-cost basic designs for farms to more advanced commercial designs”, he said.
Over recent years, there has been a dramatic change in expectations around workplace health and safety and animal welfare.
New legislation now requires that workplace safety risks be controlled as far as is reasonably practicable. Australian Animal Welfare Standards require livestock handling facilities be constructed, maintained and operated in a way that minimises risks to the welfare of livestock.
President of the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria, John Beer, has been a driving force behind the development of the guide.
“Loading ramps are the most dangerous area of livestock holding facilities. The level of unnecessary risk associated with crushing, lacerations and slips, trips and falls at some facilities is no longer acceptable”, said Mr Beer.
“‘We have produced this guide in close consultation with key stakeholders in the livestock supply chain including producers, transporters, feedlots, saleyards, exporters, equipment manufacturers, welfare groups and safety authorities”.
“ALRTA will review the guide every two years to keep up with continual industry innovation such as the truck loading platform now in use at MC Herd Meat Wholesalers and Abattoirs in Geelong that assists drivers to manage animals entering or exiting the vehicle without needing to climb on, or enter, the crate themselves”.
“Improving safety around livestock facilities is a shared responsibility and judging by the level of interest in this guide from across the supply chain I know it will make a big difference”, he said.
Key Information:
- For electronic copies go to: www.alrta.org.au
- To request a hard copy: office@alrta.org.au
ALRTA VICE PRESIDENTS MEET WITH NATIONAL SPONSORS
Last week, ALRTA Vice Presidents Kevin Keenan and Graeme Hoare met with our national sponsor Cummins and also with the parts division of our national sponsor PACCAR Dealer Group. This was a great opportunity to get to know some new faces in these great companies and to demonstrate the successes that we’ve had over the past 12 months.
At Cummins, Col Baker is handing over the ‘industry association liaison’ reins to Scott Alexander. Col has always looked after us with great care and attention to detail and we wish him well for his new focus in the company. Scott has worked with Cummins for 20 years so we know we will be in great hands there too.
At PACCAR parts we met with members of the sales and marketing team including John Everett, Trevor Dickson and Marian Dekker. We are exploring the possibility of broadening our relationship with PACCAR to include a complimentary parts component in our sponsorship mix. This brings with it the prospect of mutual benefits for our members and for PACCAR’s marketing team.
LRTAV CONFERENCE HITS A HIGH NOTE
The Annual Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of Victoria Conference was a great show in Bendigo on 7-8 August 2015.
Proceedings were officially opened by NHVR CEO, Sal Petrocitto, who recognised how much had been achieved over the past 12 months working with the livestock and rural sector. He’s right too, we’ve established a dedicated Livestock and Rural Operations Group; launched Australia’s first AFM template; included goats in the Victorian Livestock Loading Scheme; progressed access with local councils and extended the 160km radius exemption into five states and territories.
There was also the Victorian Launch of the National Ramps Guide and we heard from NTI about the development of LivestockASSIST. Delegates brushed up on their IT skills, learned more about fuel tax credits and the role of the Trans-Help Foundation in improving driver health and safety.
The LRTAV AGM was held on 8 August. The ALRTA congratulates all elected office bearers including:
- President: John Beer
- Vice President: Graeme Howell
- Vice President: Mick Debenham
- Treasurer: Trevor Fry
- Secretary: Peter Shiells The ALRTA also congratulates Shane Knight who received an award for outstanding contribution to the livestock and rural transport industry.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR NOEL HOARE
The Hoare Family advises that the funeral service for Noel Hoare will be held at:
When: 2:30pm, Monday, 17 August 2015
Where: St Andrews Anglican Church, South Street, Walcha NSW
The service will be followed by interment at the Walcha Beam Cemetery.
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