This one is currently up on my newsfeed - anyone have any thoughts?

"We have been feeding our Tigers and other big cats up the poles since April 1996. We have since then probably done this procedure for the huge welfare benefit to the animals by climbing a ladder to place the meat at the top very close to 75,000 times in that 18 years. A few months ago one of the keepers was blown off the ladder by a gust of wind and broke a collar bone. She is a great keeper and realized the wind was too strong after the event and has no issue with the method of feeding at all and loves to see the cats do this everyday. However even though the keepers now wear helmets, strap the ladders to the poles firmly and have permanent foot fixing points for the ladders our Local Authority , Barrow Borough Council wishes to stop us from feeding in this way as they claim it to be too dangerous for the staff. One issue in 18 years... one issue in over 75,000 ladder climbs and a Senior environmental health officer has placed an order upon us that would stop this practice totally and end the cats exciting feeding time, your amazement at the energy and power and force dramatic change on our unique way of stimulating our cats. Statistically you are in more danger driving to the Zoo to work ! .

We tried a number of years ago to use a rope pulley system but one tiger managed to get its foot caught between the ropes at the top and was left hanging for a long while until it freed itself causing injury to the Tiger, we tried long poles and the meat fell on the keepers heads far too often. We have made every effort to find solutions that benefit the staff and the animals and yet we are still in this situation. It is imperative we feed in this manner, scientifically proven way of improving health , fitness and welfare for the big cats. It is a free country isnt it? do we still have choices? Are we allowed to question the reason or fairness of these decisions by one particular individual ? Do you our followers have any comments? I wonder if any of the elected councilors are aware of the dramatic controls the Environmental Health Department at the Barrow in Furness Borough Council are aiming to force upon us."

(i didn't want to force the facebook comments on you all by linking it to you directly)

You don't say whether they have served you an IN, PN or what! Both can be appealed but the PN stays in placewhile the appeal is heard. If you can demonstrate that your current practice is industry standard AND you can control the risk SOFARP then I would like to think that you could justify your approach.

Very difficult to comment without more information (good advice above about looking at others and nest practice!)
We can't see layout - access etc...

- There is always an engineering solution - just might be expensive, can you get vehicular access and use a cherry picker?

- Can you redesign the enclosure to provide walkways to the feeding stations?

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg219.pdf

A last point to challenge - People die falling from height!
The law requires us to reduce risk 'so far as is reasonably practicable' not to zero. If you can demonstrate you have done this then challenge the inspector and sit before a judge!

Good luck in finding a solution that suits everyone!

James, Ian,

You are both members of a highly active branch in the same area of the zoo.
Could a branch member offer the zoo their services?

Clearly all that's needed is a sensible risk assessment and maybe a tad of compromise from both parties.
It might be that both parties need some competent advice ?

The original poster states:
"75,000 ladder climbs in 18 years".

Do the maths.

This equals more than 4,000 per year.
More than 80 per week.
More than 10 per day.

While I am the first to reiterate to the uninformed on the matter that the WAH regulations did no ban the use of ladders, I would find it difficult to support the proposal that this number of ladder ascents (particularly with a large lump of meat in one hand) meets the requirement to "use work equipment that prevents falls when work at height cannot be avoided".

The original post indicates that a number of additional fall prevention devices have been put in place to keep the ladders in use.

I would suggest that perhaps a step back needs to be taken (sorry for the pun) to review the situation from a fresh perspective.

Ladders should now only be used as a means of access and egress "where a risk assessment shows that the use of other work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of the job on unalterable features of the worksite".

I don't think 75,00 ascents in 18 years falls into this criteria.

Rodger Ker

I would s

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

how tall are the poles?

By food technician I suppose you mean Environmental Health Officers as Food safety officers were never likley to carry out safety inspections. Since the introduction of the national code inspection numbers have been stripped back to the bare minimum and only the highest risk premises get inspected.
This has led to safety inspections or interventions being carried out by staff whose specialism is health and safety and will be as well qualified and experienced as many of the H & S Inspectors, consultants and managers I have come across over the years.

Who do you think licences Zoos and permits dangerous wild animals in the first place?

Are we really saying that the routine climbing of a ladder numerous times a day in the same position is now acceptable?

Has no one considered retractable poles?

How high are these poles?

I have just checked the site rules so I don't believe I am in breach of them, but if anyone is interested in the end result of this activity try this link



having visited the park on a number of occasions what they are trying to do is mimic the natural activity of the animal - now I know that's not climbing poles, but tigers will stalk their pray then pounce - this act mimics the energy in the pounce. Remember must consider animal welfare as well as H&S in this activity.

I know the park very well having once worked with the owner in a different life and fully support its way of working. As most of you will know there is nothing stopping anyone from using a ladder especially for the few seconds that it takes to lean it, climb it, attach the meat and get off - maybe 2 minutes at the most. I lived in Barrow for 30 years and also know the Council well and know that (in my humble opinion) they have no practical or pragmatic understanding of basic H&S.
Try getting ladders that have a wide base and so more stable (yes I know that the ground is uneven but that can be modified) and lean them with the wind behind you – there are a number of specialist ladder manufacturer’s (not just suppliers) who can help - try the Ladder Association for possibilities. If the weather is such that it is unsafe to use the ladder then don’t use it – the tigers can have an easy day for once - it won't harm them!! The visitors might be disappointed but your staff will be safe.

quote=walker]quote=Brian Hagyard] Remember must consider animal welfare as well as H&S in this activity.

The story has reached the pages of today Daily Telegraph (page 5).

I sure somebody more learned than I will pick up the electronic connection.

Rodger Ker