Lorna,
If you’re using ZF, I have a fairly simple wrapper that utilizes a custom dispatch and ties into your bootstrap so that you can bootstrap specific items.
See https://github.com/mwillbanks/Zend_Gearman
It does need some slight refactoring since a little too much is happening in the constructor but it is quite nice. Been using it in production for over 6 months on a heavy traffic site.