Production

Feedback sought on new draft loading ramp standard

Beef Central, 26/02/2020

Livestock industry participants and farming communities are being invited to provide feedback to a draft national standard being developed for the design and construction of livestock ramps.

Standards Australia has this week released the draft standard – DR AS 5340 Design of livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing yards – for public comment across Australia.

The development of the draft standard comes after rural communities across Australia were left shaken by the death of a transport worker while unloading livestock on a loading ramp in October 2013.

“The development of this draft standard is of great importance, particularly following these tragic circumstances,” said Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Standards Australia, Daniel Chidgey.

“Over several months we have worked with relevant stakeholders from across the agricultural industry to develop a standard that intends to provide guidance and improve the safety of workers.

“We’ve just begun the public consultation stage of the standard development process, which is an essential part and helps us gain a broader community perspective on the recommendations posed by the standard.”

The pre-existing Guidelines for Ramps and Forcing Yards developed by The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has helped steer the development of the draft.

“There is a consensus within the industry that safety can be best achieved by keeping livestock and people separated, we have aimed to reflect this in the standard,” said ALRTA Vice President and Chair of the Animal Welfare Committee, Michael Debenham.

“By improving safety for workers, we also improve the safety and welfare of our livestock – the two go hand in hand.”

“The development of AS 5340 Design of livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing yards is strongly supported by the industry. We hope by aligning it with the existing ALRTA guide it will be reflective of broader industry needs and help ensure the consistent use of the standard when published,” said Mr Debenham.

Those from the manufacturing, agriculture and farming industries are encouraged to submit their feedback on the Standards Australia’s website by 27 April 2020.

“Whether it’s in metropolitan hubs or remote farming communities, Standards Australia is committed to working alongside industry in improving and promoting safety,” said Mr Chidgey.

Source: Standards Australia

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Comments

  1. Garrey Sellars, 29/02/2020

    How can we keep legislating to protect people from themselves from roll protection on quad bikes ,what is next seat belts on two wheel bikes and horses ,full race approved roll cage in all cars .Enough is enough

  2. w peart, 28/02/2020

    safety on my farm is my responsibility and I accept that. I do not need to have someone who has not produced anything telling me how to run my farm.It is hard enough to farm legally now without more rules.There are plenty of yard designs to choose from now. My comments will be “moderated” and that tells you everything.

  3. John Baker, 27/02/2020

    While I agree that there are a great number of ramps that are way below standard and are downright dangerous, the proposed standards, which you can access on the ALRTAQ web site, are 44 pages, way over the top and would be much more expensive than the majority of Graziers could afford. The ramp designs that are used have many features that are expensive, unnecessary and even useless. There a great number of single and double deck ramp designs around that are far more practical, so I urge anyone who has a design that they like to put it forward as we do not need to be burdened with a standard that we can not afford.

  4. Paul Franks, 27/02/2020

    Well it seems they do not want just anyone to access the proposals. I go to the Standards Australia website and click the “download draft” and it wants me to enter a username and password.

    At the end of the day this is just going to be another waste of time and money. Property owners are going to use their own design when building loading ramps and yards.

  5. Ray Fleming, 26/02/2020

    Hi
    One thing to consider with double loading ramps is problems loading body trucks and small dogs with side loads.
    Also height of clearance on most double ramps a big brahman bull cannot fit under to get on a body truck.
    Hope this is of some help,

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