Staff at the Blacktown Animal Rehousing Centre (BARC) recently came to the USU with serious safety and operational concerns that were affecting how safe they felt at work and whether they could do their jobs without putting themselves at risk.
Members described working with dangerous dogs in overcrowded spaces, delays in Code 1 actions, emergency procedures that don’t provide real protection and security systems that fail to identify where a worker is in distress.
Members also reported that draft safety procedures submitted to management in 2023 were never acted on.
Taking Members’ Concerns Straight to Management
The Union itemised the concerns and formally presented them to BARC management. This led to a meeting between the USU, the BARC Manager and the Acting Director of City Living to progress the motions put forward by staff.
As a result of that process, management agreed to several important steps:
- conducting an urgent security review
- establishing a working party of members and management to review and develop Standard Operating Procedures
- holding monthly meetings with staff so issues can be raised and resolved early
Further Improvements Following Member Pressure
In addition, the Union has secured further commitments that strengthen staff safety. BARC management has now adopted the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 and Office of Local Government (OLG) guidelines for identifying, managing and handling restricted dog breeds in NSW.
Management will conduct briefing sessions for all BARC workers on these requirements, and, at the Union’s request, will bring in a representative from the OLG to provide expert advice and answer staff questions. These sessions will be held within the next two weeks.
