HARVEST AND AGRICULTURE MODULE

Transcription

1 HARVEST AND AGRICULTURE MODULE

2 Machinery The Harvest and Agricultural industry utilises a number of unique and potentially dangerous machines. To reduce the risks associated with these machines, follow the below guidelines: DO NOT use a machine you have not been adequately trained on and deemed competent. If the job is not what we sent you to do, contact your local branch before performing the task as we need to complete a risk assessment Assuming you are trained on the task, familiarise yourself with the machine before proceeding with the required task. Most machines have subtle differences in controls and performance but these can have severe consequences if you are unfamiliar Undertake the necessary pre-operational check every time you use the machine Never use the machine for a purpose other than what it was designed for

3 Guarding Machine guarding is in place to control personal risks of: Entanglement in plant with moving parts Parts of the plant or product breaking, disintegrating or being ejected from the plant and then striking personnel Coming into contact with extremely hot or cold plant, parts and pipes

4 Guarding (cont) To protect your exposure to live moving parts you must: Always adhere to Safe Operating Procedures and Work Instructions NEVER bypass or modify any existing guarding NEVER access any restricted or controlled operating areas where plant can be energised remotely or automatically without full isolation Clarify and understand what machine alarms, signals and warning devices exist and what they mean STOP and REPORT any missing, malfunctioning or inadequate guarding

5 The Risks of Outdoor Work Environmental Hazards are one of the most prevalent categories of risk for Harvest and Agricultural work. These simple tips below will help to protect you from the environmental hazards you are presented with: Wear long sleeved tops and pants. In winter this will protect you from the cold and in summer it will protect your skin from sunburn. It is Programmed policy to wear long sleeved clothing when working outdoors Keep hydrated. Regardless of weather conditions, harvesting is hard work and you need to maintain your hydration levels by drinking water, rather than fizzy / caffeinated drinks In summer wide brimmed hats and sunscreen are essential to reduce the impact of the sun Make sure your PPE is in good condition. Your steel capped footwear, safety glasses, gloves etc. are all there to help protect you from the elements of your working environment

6 Biological / Chemical Hazards The Harvest and Agriculture industry presents both biological and chemical hazards to its workers. Awareness and identification of the hazards is paramount in this industry. This includes the PPE that is required for the task / hazard. Some examples of hazards to be aware of are: Snakes / Spiders etc. Be aware of the conditions you are working within. You should be educated on identification of likely habitats, as well as necessary First Aid Pesticides / Fertilizers. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) will provide information on what the substance contains and First Aid required. Ask your supervisor if you have not been made aware of the SDS, and if you believe you need additional PPE speak with your supervisor or Programmed Dust / Allergens. Generally, Harvest and Agricultural work will throw dust and pollen particles into the air which can cause a reaction to some people (e.g. hayfever). Anti-histamines and / or dust masks may provide some control to this hazard

7 Tooling An array of tools are utilised in the Harvest and Agricultural industries most of which have a positive impact on reducing risk of injury / incidents. On occasions tools can actually contribute to the load placed on your body. To reduce this load: Ensure the tool you are using is the correct tool for the job. Using the incorrect tool will cause you to place unnecessary pressure on your body and could cause an injury Make sure the tool you are using is in good working order. If you find the tool not functioning properly advise your supervisor so that it can be replaced

8 Manual Handling The harvest of produce may involve some manual handling which falls outside of the Green - Low Risk zone, which could include: You may need to position yourself in awkward positions to effectively harvest the crop An increased frequency of work in the Amber - Medium Risk and Red High Risk zones, possibly picking from ground level or reaching out in front and above your body To reduce the impact of this working within the Amber and Red zones ensure you: Adhere to the manual handling steps, as outlined in the General Induction Key points for this industry include Placing your feet shoulder width apart, with one slightly in front of the other Lowering yourself by bending your knees, and keeping your back straight. Switching the leg is taking majority of the load regularly When working above head height or away from your body, only work within the comfortable area for you to reach. Extending yourself will cause significant strain on your body

9 Traffic Management Traffic hazards occur at the workplace when there is an interaction or potential interaction between pedestrians and vehicles (including powered mobile plant). Traffic hazards involving vehicles and mobile plant may occur When vehicles or plant are reversing and manoeuvring When delivering and picking up product and materials from the orchard / farm or the processing facility Arrivals or departures in car parks Loading or unloading on and around vehicles

10 Traffic Management (cont) The risk of vehicle and pedestrian collisions is likely to increase when there is: A lack of physical barriers to separate pedestrian walkways and pedestrian crossings Blocked or obstructed pedestrian routes Pedestrians and vehicles using the same route Poorly maintained surfaces e.g. unstable surfaces, broken ground / pot holes, blind corners, poor drainage or inadequate lighting Narrow roads where there is not enough room for pedestrians and vehicles Poor visibility for either drivers or pedestrians, e.g. when reversing

11 Traffic Management (cont) The following methods can help you minimise the risk of traffic management incidents by: Familiarising yourself with available site traffic management plans Adhering to defined traffic management controls such as exclusion zones, separation distances and designated walkways etc. Identifying and reporting any potential circumstances where a collision may occur. This could include a near miss Ensuring that all warning and safety devices on mobile plant and vehicles are operating prior to use e.g. Reverse alarms, brakes or warning lights etc. Ensuring that you wear the correct high visibility clothing for the environment