A MAJOR cattle loading ramp at the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards reopened this week following modifications to the structure.
This followed a meeting between Grant District Council and the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV) earlier this week about safety concerns with “Ramp C.”
The loading ramp has been in lockdown in recent weeks amid ongoing concerns regarding flaws in its safety gate.
The ramp’s safety has also been the centre of an Ombudsman SA investigation, which included the handling of the matter by SafeWork SA.
Council acting chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh said council moved quickly following the release of the ombudsman’s report.
She said both parties reviewed the report and an “agreed action plan” had now been instigated.
Other suggested improvements on site were also canvassed to improve operation flow as well as the experience for both livestock and handlers.
“These are non-safety related, however, will improve the service offering of the saleyards for transport operators,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh said.
She said council and the livestock transport association had worked together “amicably” since concerns were raised in 2018.
“We will continue dialogue in the interest of all parties in the livestock industry,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh revealed.
“It is also worth acknowledging that at the meeting the LRTAV stressed the concerns they raised were with SafeWork SA and not with the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards or council.”
The Ombudsman recommended SafeWork SA adopt new measures after it failed to conduct a “thorough” probe into safety complaints at the Glenburnie saleyards.
This follows the LRTAV formally raising safety fears with loading and unloading infrastructure with SafeWork SA in October last year.
In his report released, Ombudsman Wayne Lines said an investigation into Grant District Council was “not necessary.”
The complaint stems from a worker being injured as well as a number near misses at the major regional livestock exchange.
SafeWork closed the improvement notice where the modifications to the ramps was “nowhere complete” despite an “accident waiting to happen.”
“In my view, the file should not had been closed unless and until SafeWork SA was satisfied the modifications to ‘Ramp C’ were completed,” Mr Lines said.
“In my view the agency acted in the manner that was wrong.”
Mr Lines handed down a number of recommendations, including the need for SafeWork SA to provide a written apology to the transporters association for “failures in the conduct of the investigation.”
He has also called on SafeWork SA to create a new agency complaint handling policy that “fully complies” with the Australian standard.
SafeWork has now been directed to provide a report to the Ombudsman about what actions that have “commenced or completed.”
