The Ultimate Shearers Handbook

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The Ultimate Shearers Handbook

• Improving Performance Preventing Injury
• D. Stuart, R. Williams, M. Lawrance J.Pryor

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Co Authors

• David Stuart
• Exercise Scientist Uni SA
• Michael Lawrance
• Occupational Therapist, Ergonomist, Shearer
• John Pryor
• Fitness consultant, Exercise Scientist,

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Background of authors research

• Physiotherapist ,Occupational Therapist ex
  shearer, Exercise Scientist, Fitness consultant
• University of Ballarat 1993
• Shed design
• Initial book 1997 Australian Rules of Shearing

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The shearing task

• 200 sheep _at_ 70 kg 14 tonne
• 21,000 kj in 8 hr day
• HR O2 extremely hard work
• 4 litres/hr of sweat in extremely hot conditions
• Spinal loading or greater than maximal
  acceptable limits
• Injury Cost over 40 million/annum in Aust.

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Loddon Mallee Shearers

• Tyranny of distance
• Drought
• Sheep profile

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Treatment package

• Isolation combined with high incidence of injury
• Improve performance, prevent injury, manage
  injury and guide recovery and RTW
• Book, exercise tubing and CD
• Self help and tool for therapists
• User friendly

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Risk Control

• Eliminate the task
• Altering workplace or environmental conditions
• Altering systems of work
• Changing objects used in the task
• Mechanical aids
• Information, training and instruction Ultimate
  Shearers Handbook

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1997Australian Rules of Shearing

• Shearing and football comparison
• Elite athletes
• Pre and off season
• Shearing day Game day
• Four runs four quarters
• Content
• Physical preparation
• Shearing day
• Recovery

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Ultimate Shearers Handbook

• Process
• Shearer and therapist feedback
• Brainstorming
• Chapters-collaboration
• Shearer and shearer trainer feedback and peer
  review
• Editing
• Launch Oct 2006

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Content

• Part I
• Task , Environment, Nutrition, Females, Alcohol
  and Drugs, Equipment and shearer training
• Part II
• Preparation, On the job, Recovery, Injuries, Big
  Tallies Shed Staff
• Part III
• Resources and References

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Loddon Mallee Therapists

• Typical Injuries
• Back pain lumbar spine, hamstrings
• Neck pain
• Shearers elbow lateral epicondylitis
• Wool handlers wrist and squeaky wrist
• Peripheral joint pain
• Haematomas

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Treatment techniques

• Do no harm, empower
• Interpreting aches, pains and injuries
• R. I. C. E.
• Core strengthening
• Robin McKenzie
• David Butler
• Shearing population

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Preparation
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The Shearing Day

• Before the first run
• Walk, 1st five sheep, squats
• During the run
• Psoas stretch
• Smoko and lunch break
• A dog and two towels
• After the last run
• Unloading, stretching, travelling

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Recovery

• The drive home
• Adequate support
• Resting positions
• Unload
• TV Stretches
• Restore and improve range