Tenterfield Shire Council Tenterfield Saleyards

• Tenterfield Shire Council is committed to providing the safe and efficient operations of the Tenterfield Saleyards;

• Information, instructions and training is provided to Council workers, third party users and visitors, to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake tasks in a manner which is safe for themselves and others at the saleyards; and

• Tenterfield Saleyards is located on Boundary Road, Tenterfield.

The aim of Chain of Responsibility is to make sure everyone in the supply chain shares equal responsibility for ensuring breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law do not occur. 

All parties in the road transport supply chain can be held legally responsible for their actions, not just the driver. 

Council's Policy sets out the standards and strategies in place to ensure road safety laws are not breached.

All workers in the supply chain must ensure they remain fit for work. 

1. Mass:  Taking into account weighbridge or scale availability, the use of onboard weighing systems and whether the weight of loads is otherwise calculable.
2. Dimension:  Taking into account standard limits, appropriate exemptions and permits required.
3. Speed:  Taking into account number of trips per day, distance travelled and time to complete trips in accordance with speed limits and allowing for delays. 
4. Fatigue:  Taking into account distance/time to and from the site, length of work day and night shifts, delays and potential for shift overrun.
5. Load Restraint:  Taking into consideration types of vehicle and load.
6. Vehicle Standards:  Taking into account roadworthiness and both preventative and unplanned maintenance and repairs.

On board mass load management is encouraged on all livestock trucks.

 Operators must ensure that:

• Employees are trained and safe systems of work are in place in respect of unloading/loading livestock.
• Vehicles are road worthy and fit for purpose and have speed limiters fitted if required by law.
• Drivers have the appropriate licence, necessary permits and conform to any concessional programs entered into. 
• Rosters and schedules do not require drivers to exceed driving hours regulations or speed limits. 
• Steps are taken to ensure that drivers do not drive while impaired by fatigue or in breach of thier work/rest hours option. 
• Records of driver activities are kept.

Drivers must:

• Have a current licence for the heavy vehicle to be operated.
• Comply with relevant fatigue management work hours and rest laws and the procedures to implement them, including maintaining accurate records.
• Comply with the posted speed limits.
• Respond to changes in circumstances (such as delays) and report these to your supervisor (if possible) to implement short-term fatigue management measures.
• Ensure your vehicle does not exceed mass or dimension limits.
• Ensure your load is correctly restrained.
• Take action as a result of vehicle defects and scheduled maintenance.
• Before the driver commences unloading or loading of livestock, they must ensure that the ramps and equipment provided by Tenterfield Shire Council are safe to use and report any issues or required repairs.
• It is the responsibility of the driver to unload the livestock from the truck and down the ramp, where the Agents or Tenterfield Shire Council employees (if available) will take delivery/receive them.
• It is the responsibility of the driver (or company drover) to load the livestock.

Loading Managers (may be an agent or company's drover or driver) must ensure:

• Loading/unloading activities are managed to ensure that they are completed as quickly as possible;
• Systems are in place to deal with unexpected delays or interruptions to loading/unloading activities.

Loaders (may be a company's drover or driver) must ensure the load:

• Does not exceed vehicle mass or dimension limits; 
• Is placed in a way so it does not become unstable, (including considering the effect on the vehicle's centre of gravity i.e. load top deck last) move or fall off the vehicle;
• Is correctly restrained on completion of loading.

Consignors/Consignees must ensure that your delivery requirements do not require or encourage deivers to:

• Exceed the speed limits; 
• Exceed regulated driving hours;
• Fail to meet the minimum rest requirements;
• Drive while impaired by fatigue;
• Carry goods that exceed vehicle mass or dimension limits;
• Carry goods that are not appropriately secured. 

Tenterfield Shire Council supports the implementation and will operate in a manner to assist third party compliance. Council is committed to providing the safe and efficient operation of the Saleyards and wholly supports the principles behind the Chain of Responsibility. Tenterfield Shire Council recognises that livestock transport activities within the facility are conducted by third parties (Agents, buyers, livestock carriers as examples). Our policy focuses on working together to strive for a safe facility with flow on to safe roads. Tenterfield Shire Council will:

• Maintain the Saleyard and infrastructure;
• Ensuring Saleyard infrastructure is available. Please see hours of operation hours for use of the saleyards.
• Operate cattle weighing equipment for live weight sales, these records available to buyers and consignees.
• Operating cattle weighting equipment on a fee for service basis (with prior arrangement) for cattle sold through the facility during operating hours;
• Amenities are provided 24 hours to comply with rest break requirements with a canteen operating on sale days;
• Truck parking facilities are available for livestock vehicles directly connected to a sale, this is not to be treated as a depot, but allows rest periods and amenities to be used.

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), everyone involved in the supply chain has an obligation to ensure breaches of road transport laws do not occur. Duty holders have a responsibility to ensure their action or inaction does not contribute to or encourage breaches of the HVNL. If a party's actions, inactions or demands cause or contribute to an offence, they can be held legally accountable.

In the event of any suspected or actual breaches of the HVNL, Tenterfield Shire Council reserves the right to report to the relevant authorities and to suspend or terminate any person' right to use the Tenterfield Saleyard facility. 

Tenterfield Shire Council is committed to the provision of the highest possible standard of Work Health & Safety to ensure workers, third party users or visitors, so far as is reasonably precticable, are safe from risks. Our policy focuses on working together with workers, third party users and visitors to ensure they are working in a safe environment. To assist us in providing this standard it is expected that you follow the Work Health & Safety policies, procedures and safe work instructions of the Tenterfield Shire Council.

The following definitions specifically apply to the Tenterfield Saleyards workplace:

• Workers: Include all persons performing work under the direction of, or on behalf of Council
• Third Party Users: Include the following:
  • Agents and their workers;
  • Workers of the Stock and Station Agent;
  • Persons unloading/loading cattle without an Agent present. 
• Visitors: Anyone that attends the site and does not carry our work activities and is escorted around the site by a Council employee or Agent.

Workers and Third Party Users Responsibilities 

While at work, a worker must:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety;
• Take reasonable care that any acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and saftey of other persons;
• Comply with a reasonable instruction, as far as reasonable able, given by Council to comply with their legal obligations;
• Cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure of Council in relation to health and safety in the workplace;
• Participate in the consultation process on all matters in relation to safety;
• Report hazards, incidents and near misses as soon as reasonably practicable using Council's reporting procedure;
• Take all reasonable precautions to protect other workers or visitors from risks to their safety which may occur as a result of any work activity that may endanger them;
• Failure to comply with legal obligations may result in dismissal, removal or bans from site by Tenterfield Shire Council.

The Regulator may impose Penalities for WHS or Transport legislative Breaches on this site or after leaving site if legislation is not complied with.

• Safe Systems of Work must be in place for all work undertaken at the Saleyards;
• All high risk work requires a documented Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS);
• SWMS are to be current, specific to the high risk work task and be readily available for inspection by the Saleyards Manager or other Council Representative;
• All workers, contractors and visitors must comply with Saleyards requirements when conducting high risk work.
• This may include, but not limited to transport operators, including producers who transport their own livestock and agents. 

High Risk work includes work associatied with:

• Working at heights;
• Welding or Plant operation;
• Construction work or Confined spaces;
• Working on energised electrical services;
• High risk work which involves the use of plant such as Elevated Work Platform (EWP), Cranes, and Forklifts must bace operators who hold relevant and current High Risk Work licences and their competency verified before commencing work. Persons undertaking high risk work which involves construction work must have a valid General Construction Induction Training (GCIT) Card otherwise known as a White Card. 

Entry into a confined space at the Saleyards is NOT PERMITTED.

• Confined spaces at the Tenterfield Saleyards include:
  
  • Under weighbridges.

Confined space entry permits and documented confined spaces work plans apply to enty of any sited at Tenterfield Saleyards.

If the entry is required to undertake work, only competently trained and authorised people may enter the confined space and only after completing a risk assessment taking into consideration: 

• The need to enter the confined space;
• The scope of works required;
• The nature of the confined space.

• Some areas of the Tenterfield Saleyards may contain asbestos which can pose a risk to a person's health and safety;
• Council has specific procedures to follow when dealing with asbestos, all workers will follow these procedures;
• Any areas of known asbestos will be clearly sign posted and appropriate risk control measures put in place to ensure the health and safety of third party users and visitors;
• No drilling into walls, construction work or building renovations can be conducted until clearance is given from Tenterfield Shire Council;
• If you find these areas to be damaged move away from the area and report to the Saleyard's Manager immediately. 

Cattle sales are held weekly between January to May and fortnightly between June and December on a Monday commencing at 8 am.

Feature Weaner Sales are held in March and May.

The Tenterfield Saleyards opening hours are:

• Monday to Friday - 6 am - 4.30 pm, or while sale cattle are still present in the yards;
• Sunday for cattle delivery 12 pm to 9 pm (unattended).

Access to the Tenterfield Saleyards out of hours for Private Yard Usage/Non sale Cattle prior notice is required by contacting  Saleyards Manager. 

Please Note: Fees will apply for yard usage (See Councils current fees and charges).

• Signage is placed around the Saleyards providing information for your safety and the conditions of use.
• It is your responsibility to observe all signs and to act in accordance with any direection given on site. 

• Amenities are provided for your use including toilets, showers and canteen. Please keep them clean and respect them. 
• Report any issues to the Tenterfield Saleyards Manager

All dogs within the Tenterfield Saleyard must be muzzled. A person who fails to comply with the terms of this notice is guilty of an offence under Section 632 of the Local Government Act, 1993.

• Dogs are not permitted in cattle areas;
• Dogs are not permitted in sale area or laneway while sale is in progress.

All persons undertaking work at the Tenterfield Saleyards are expected to attend work in a 'fit for work' state. Accordingly, a person adversely affected by alcohol or any other drug is not permitted on site. 

In addition, persons must not, have any alcohol or other drug that may pose a risk to health and safety in his or her possession or consume any alcohol or other drug that may pose a risk to health and safety whilst at the workplace.

Any person found in breach of the above will be removed from the premises and appropriate action taken.

• Smoking is prohibited within 4 metres of access doors or food areas
• Smoking is prohibited in vehicle, plant and buildings
• Smoking is prohibited  near any flammable or combustible materials

Please Note: Smoking around other people is to be at lease 4m away. Generally on Council sites where there is no designated smoking area smoking is prohibited. 

Tenterfield Saleyards is a workplace and has a range of potential hazards, some life threatening, which is why it is preferable that children under the age of 16 are not brought to the facility.

However, it is recognised that, on occasions, it is unavoidable, in which case:

• A child under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times;
• This includes Amenities and Canteen;
• Accompanied means within an arm’s length.

Please Note: Failure to comply with this requirement is a breach of a condition of entry to the Tenterfield Saleyards.

While the use of mobile phones at Tenterfield Saleyards is not prohibited, restrictions on their use are on place and it is advised that Mobile phones are not used when engaging in the following activities:

• Driving vehicles or operating plant;
• Handling livestock due to the unpredictability of animals;
• Accessing stairs.

Care is to be taken while at Tenterfield Saleyards as all areas, especially walkways, pathways, roadways and parking areas may have uneven surfaces, barriers, animal waste and liquid pooling. Other hazards that have been identified relate to the walkways and stairs at the saleyards, these hazards include, but are not limited to:

• Stairs may be different sizes, heights and widths;
• Stairs may be uneven;
• Stairs may become slippery when wet;
• Passageway becomes narrow, especially when passing others.

Three points of contact are to be maintained when using stairs, there are a number of stairs and elevated walkways at the Tenterfield Saleyards so care needs to be taken at all times.

When in the yards and working areas you are required to be dressed in suitable clothing that does not pose a safety risk:

• Work boots with non-slip soles;
• Long leg trousers, work overalls or knee length work shorts;
• Areas on site requiring specific PPE will be sign posted;
• You must not enter these areas without the appropriate PPE. 

For all workers, when outside:

• You must wear a wide brim hat;
• You must wear sunscreen, available at the Canteen.

For all persons riding horses:

• Must wear an appropriate Australian Standards approved helmet.

For all workers, when in offices:

• You must wear covered shoes;
• You must wear appropriate office attire .

At the Tenterfield Saleyards you may be exposed to blood or bodily fluids including faeces.

• This increases your risk of contracting zoonotic diseases such as Q fever;
• It is recommended all workers at the Tenterfield Saleyards and people frequently handling livestock are immunised against Q fever.

In the event of an emergency:

• A call to 000 will take place;
• Follow the directions of the Council workers;
• Remain at the assembly point until you are advised you can go;
• Wait for further instructions;
• Should you have any queries or concerns, please contact the Saleyards Manager.
   

ROUTINE ENQUIRIES TENTERFIELD SHIRE COUNCIL

Ph: 02 6736 6000

Emergency information will be displayed on the Tenterfield Saleyards notice board and other locations throughout the Saleyards.

• It is important that everyone is aware that the designated emergency assembly point is located at the Northern End of the car park .

It is also important that everyone is aware of where the emergency equipment is located.

Fire extinguisher are located:

• In the Saleyards Office;
• In the Canteen;
• In the Scale House.

First aid equipment is available for use by workers, third party users and visitors at the following locations on site:

• Canteen;
• Council Vehicles;

Most Tenterfield Council Staff are trained in First Aid.

Council’s safety Incident Report Form is to be completed by anyone involved in an incident, injury, illness, damage or near miss and Council’s safety Incident Reporting and Investigation Procedure should be followed.

In the event of an incident, injury, illness, damage or near miss you must:

• Take appropriate, immediate action to minimise the risk of further injury or damage;
• Seek medical treatment or Call 000 if required;
• Notify the Saleyards Manager as soon as possible;
• Complete an incident report;
• Co-operate in any investigation.

Reporting of safety incidents and near misses is essential for Council to comply with insurance and legislative obligations.

It also assists in the identification of hazards in the workplace. It is important to capture these instances to ensure corrective actions can be implemented to prevent a reoccurrence.

The best way to minimise injuries is to identify and report hazards and safety issues to the Saleyards Manager as soon as possible.

The Saleyards Manager performs daily and weekly inspections to ensure, where possible, that hazards and safety issues are identified and appropriately controlled and that the Centre is in good working order. Safety Audits are also completed by Tenterfield Saleyards Team.

From time to time you may notice a hazard or a safety issue. These should be reported to the Saleyards Manager.

You will need to complete the appropriate form so the hazard or safety issue can be investigated and appropriate action taken.

It is important to remember that livestock are unpredictable and if not handled and managed appropriately can put you and others in danger of being seriously injured or potentially killed.

The Tenterfield Saleyards promotes the use of low stress handling techniques to ensure livestock remain calm at all times and to minimise any bruising or injury.

When working with livestock remember:

• They do not like to enter dark or enclosed areas and may be reluctant to enter lower decks of trucks;
• Be aware and alert at all times;
• Inspect the area to ensure it is free from obstacles, in working order and when pens are available before unloading;
• Ensure appropriate gates are closed;
• Make sure there is not a gap between the ramp and truck;
• Load and unload slowly, keep animals calm;
• Make sure animals have a clear escape route and can move calmly in that direction;
• Do not make sudden movements and be patient;
• Always have an escape route;
• Wherever possible stay out of the pen;
• Keep a safe distance from cattle;
• Only those people that have been inducted to the site are permitted to work with livestock in the yards.
• If you are aware that persons are in the yards that have not been inducted, you have an obligation to ask them to leave the yards.

The Agents are responsible for handling of livestock including:

• Drafting and penning;
• Mouthing;
• Weighing;
• Livestock movements and management during the sale;
• Post sale sorting and management.

The Agents are to ensure that only inducted persons are inside the yard area and animal welfare is maintained.

The procedures for livestock handling include:

• Eliminating potential hazards through physical separation of people and livestock or risk control measures where physical separation is not possible;
• Securing gates;
• Animal welfare;
• Extreme care is to be taken by persons, hydraulic operated gates that can move without warning. You must not stand within 1 Metre of either side of the gate.
• Refer to SafeWork Australia’s
  “GUIDE TO MANAGING RISKS IN CATTLE HANDLING”.

The Tenterfield Saleyards promotes the use of low stress handling techniques to ensure livestock remain calm at all times and to minimise any bruising or injury.

The Tenterfield Saleyards will not tolerate animal cruelty including excessive use of cattle prodders. The preferred prodder is the cattle flapper.

If it is found that persons are using prodders excessively, with excessive force or any other form of animal cruelty they may be removed from the facility.

At times livestock may need to be euthanised.  Council has procedures in place to ensure livestock are euthanised using humane methods and techniques.

The following methods may be used:

• Captive Bolt;
• Firearm;
• Only authorised personnel are approved to euthanase livestock under the direction of the Saleyards Manager;

Report any injured or deceased livestock to the Saleyards Manager immediately.

The Tenterfield Saleyards has constant traffic movement putting people at risk.

All persons should be aware of potential traffic hazards and:

• Pay attention to and obey traffic signage;
• Pay close attention to vehicles moving in the loading/unloading area;
• Watch for pedestrians;
• Do not park on grass areas;
• Park in nominated parking areas;
• Observe the 15km/hour site speed limit.

The transport operator is to ensure safe systems of work are in place, their workers are trained and have the knowledge and skills in animal husbandry to unload the livestock. 

As part of our safety obligation, Council will consult with the transport companies to ensure potential hazards or safety issues can be eliminated or controlled.

BEFORE LOADING/UNLOADING:

• It is a condition of use that the transport operator undertake a visual inspection to ensure all ramps and equipment are safe to use;
• Only upon completion of the visual inspection and confirmation that all equipment is in working order will unloading commence;
• DO NOT use faulty equipment;
• Report any Work Health Safety issues to the Saleyards Manager.

DURING UNLOADING

• It is the responsibility of the Transport Operator to unload the livestock from the truck and down the ramp;
• Separation should be maintained between the person unloading and the livestock;
• If separation is not possible ensure there is an easy escape route;
• Extreme caution should be exercised at all times;
• When unloading is completed all equipment must be left in good working order;
• All gates are to be secured.

Work above two (2) metres in height is prohibited without a documented and approved safe system of work for managing the risk of falls.

The following applies to ALL working at heights tasks:

• Work must be in accordance with your documented and approved safe system of work;
• You must have authorisation from the Manager  before work commences;
• Fall protection MUST be in place before work commences;
• Equipment must be compliant and in good working order;
• Where a fall arrest system is implemented you must have at least one (1) other person on site who is aware of the emergency rescue plan;
• Climbing the sides of crates and being on top of trucks is prohibited except when using a documented and approved safe system of work for preventing the risk of falls.

Hazardous manual tasks are part of most major activities of all workplaces. Most tasks have some degree of manual handling or repetitive work and if not managed correctly can lead to injury.

If the task involves any of the following characteristics it can be identified as hazardous:

• Repetitive or sustained force;
• High or sudden impact force;
• Repetitive movement;
• Sustained and/or awkward posture;
• Exposure to vibration;
• Pushing, pulling, lifting & carrying;
• Assess the task before commencing to identify and control potential risks;
• Unnecessary risks when moving large, bulky or awkward items should be avoided on site;
• Consideration to an alternative method other than manual handling should always be considered, including mechanical aids where available.

When undertaking manual handling of any task, the following must be considered:

• Assess the load;
• Always use team lifting or mechanical aids for large, awkward or bulky items;
• Ensure that your path is free from obstruction;
• Stand as close as possible to the load;
• Bend your knees and keep your back straight;
• Remember, if in doubt DON’T LIFT!

Workers are required to follow Council procedures for using, handling, generating and storing hazardous substances and materials.

Third party users and visitors should not use, handle, store or bring to site any hazardous substances and materials, without prior approval from Council.

Any person involved in using hazardous substances or materials must have familiarised themselves with the relevant Safety Data Sheet(s) and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Any spills of hazardous substances and materials should be reported to the Saleyards Coordinator immediately.

Safety Data Sheets are located with the emergency manual in the Saleyards Coordinator’s office and near the storage facility for the chemicals.

Electrical accidents can result in serious injuries and death. You should not attempt, under any circumstances to undertake any electrical repairs. These activities should only be conducted by a qualified electrician.

When using electrical items, consider the following precautions:

• Ensure all electrical equipment is inspected by an authorised person and suitably tagged;
• Do not use electrical equipment or leads where there are signs of damage such as a frayed cord or use of insulation tape;
• Report faulty, broken or poorly maintained electrical equipment;
• Only use electrical equipment for the purpose it was designed;
• Use electrical equipment in a safe and responsible manner;
• Conduct pre-use visual checks of electrical equipment to ensure tags are in place and equipment is safe to use;
• Only operate equipment for which you have been trained;
• New to service checks and RCD tests must be conducted by an authorised electrician and must be documented;

Please Note: Report immediately any fault with equipment being used to the Saleyards Manager.

Council uses an isolation procedure to ensure plant and equipment which need repair or are being repaired are not used.

These tags should never be removed or tampered with.

All isolation tags and locks must be adhered to, and plant and equipment which is isolated must never be used, until the fault or repairs have been completed and the isolation removed.

Harassment can be defined as conduct or behaviour which is unwelcome, unwarranted and unsolicited and causes a hostile environment. Harassment occurs when someone is made to feel intimidated, insulted or humiliated because of their (or their friend, partner, associate’s etc.) race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, sexual preference or some other characteristic specified under anti-discrimination or human rights legislation.

Sexual harassment is a form of harassment which includes unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favours or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.

Bullying occurs where an individual or group of individuals repeatedly behaves unreasonably towards a worker or a group of workers, while at work, and that behaviour creates a risk to health and safety.

Discrimination can be intentional or unintentional, direct or indirect and occurs when people are excluded from benefit or opportunity because of:

• A characteristic which is irrelevant to the job, such as sex, age, race, disability, sexual preference, transgender, marital status or carers responsibilities is used as a barrier;
• A stereotypical assumption is made about a person associated with these characteristics

Harassment, bullying and discrimination will not be tolerated at the Saleyards. Suspected harassment, bullying or discrimination should be reported to the Saleyards  Manager immediately to allow these matters to be investigated.

For any suspected, or actual harassment, bullying and discrimination offenders may be asked to leave the facility.

Fatigue is more than feeling tired and drowsy, it is a state of mental and/or physical exhaustion reducing a person’s ability to perform work safely & effectively.

Fatigue can be caused by:

• Prolonged or intense mental or physical activity;
• Sleep loss or disruption of your internal body clock;
• Weather conditions or strenuous jobs;
• Long shifts or short recovery times between shifts;
• Working at night or long commuting times;
• Poor sleep or  Family demands;

Fatigue may increase the risk of incidents because of a lack of alertness and slower reaction times.  It can also affect the ability to make good decisions.

Workers & third party users should ensure they manage fatigue effectively to not pose a risk to their own or others health & safety.

This can be done by:

• Using and taking appropriate time off work to recuperate to be fit for work;
• Recognising and avoiding behaviours and practices which contribute to fatigue and potentially placing themselves and others at risk, and taking appropriate action.

• Safety is EVERYONE’S responsibility!
• As a user of the Tenterfield Saleyards you need to do your bit to ensure your safety and the safety of everyone else;
• It is in EVERYONE’S interest to think and work safely;
• You can help and your ideas are valuable – if you see something which may cause harm to people or the environment contact the Saleyards Manager.