New Australian Standard for loading ramps and Forcing Yards

27 Nov

If required, RCG can do an inspection of your yards in line with the new AS 5340, Design of livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing yards and also the Guide for Safe Design of Livestock Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards which was published by ALRTA.

AFTER a year of development Standards Australia has finalised and published the first Australian Standard for Livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing pens.

It says the 37-page document provides guidance on the safe design and practices for the 85,000 or so agricultural businesses across Australia that use loading ramps, according to NFF statistics.

However to see the detail set out in the Australian Standard it appears livestock producers and others in the supply chain will have to pay a minimum fee of $125 to download the full document from the Standards Australia website.

Beef Central was this afternoon seeking guidance from Standards Australia as to whether the detail of the new Standard will be provided free of charge to livestock producers, or whether they will have to pay the $125 fee to view the full document, which would not seem particularly conducive to achieving widespread uptake.

Standards Australia said the new ramp standard was developed with the safety of workers and welfare of livestock front of mind.

“We hope this standard helps to improve safety and build confidence across rural regions and within the many farming communities,” said Head of Standards Development at Standards Australia, Roland Terry-Lloyd.

The initial development of the standard came after communities were left shaken by the death of a transport worker while unloading livestock on a loading ramp in October 2013.

Standards Australia said the standard was developed following public consultation during 2020 and input from a representative supply chain and community steering committee.

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Australia (ALRTA) today welcomed the publication of the new Australian Standard.

“Loading ramps and forcing yards are the most dangerous part of livestock handling facilities. In 2020, livestock producers, handlers and transporters can no longer accept the unnecessary risk of crushing, lacerations and slips, trips and falls, and tragically, sometimes death,” he said.

“There is consensus within the industry that improved safety can be best achieved by keeping livestock and people separated, a guiding principle that is reflected throughout the standard. By improving safety for workers, we also improve the safety and welfare of our livestock – the two go hand in hand.

“The standard is strongly supported by the livestock supply chain and based on the pre-existing Guide for Safe Design of Livestock Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards which was published by ALRTA in 2015. Those who have followed the guide will generally meet the standard.”