Injury hotspots pages contain helpful information for
- training and induction materials
- occupational health and safety content
- preventing injuries in the workplace.
Injury Hotspot skeleton diagram, text information below.
Hazards
- Hazard 1Fatigue
- Provide sufficient breaks and ensure there is water available.
- Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods (eg by using job rotation, task variation) or work that requires a significant amount of high force.
- Develop strategies for managing the impact of fatigue (eg develop a fatigue management system and train managers / team leaders how to effectively implement it).
- Train employees how to recognise fatigue signs and symptoms.
- Hazard 2Heavy lifting
- Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (lifter trolley or powered pruners for pruning, picking, harvesting and shearing, hydraulic arm for lifting or transporting animals and hay bales, platform as an intermediary step if loads need to be raised over shoulder height) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- For shearing, use drafting gates in the handling race to eliminate lifting, and ensure animals are held close to the body.
- Order materials in smaller sizes (eg 20kg bags instead of 40kg bags). If using bigger sizes, use mechanical equipment only.
- Train employees on how to safely use any mechanical equipment and aids, and on safe handling methods (eg work is done between shoulder and mid-thigh height with the elbows close to the body).
- Clear the work area of any obstacles and set up tasks in a way they can be completed between shoulder and mid-thigh height to help maintain the back in an upright posture.
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (eg back harnesses).
- Hazard 3Manual harvesting
- Sharpen hand tools and ensure they are maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Regularly inspect and maintain equipment (eg ensure guards are secure and serviceable).
- Provide suitable personal protective clothing and equipment (eg gloves, hats, eye protection).
- Hazard 4Slips trips and falls
- Provide appropriate equipment (eg extension handles, platforms with support rails) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
- Ensure floor surfaces in work areas are kept dry and clear of clutter and obstructions.
- Use plant and equipment that has service points that can be accessed from ground level.
- Ensure employees use three points of contact when entering / exiting high vehicles.
- Hazard 5Using mechanical tools and equipment
- Guard all moving machinery parts on equipment such as the tractor power take off (PTO), post hole diggers or bench grinders.
- Guard entire length of PTO and couplings, and ensure guards are secured at all times.
- Ensure employees remove all jewellery, tie long hair back, and wear appropriate clothing with no loose straps.
Injury hotspots disclaimer
This information does not give rise to any liability of, or claim against, WorkSafe Victoria. It does not give rise to any right, expectation, duty or obligation that a person may not otherwise have. It does not give rise to any defence that would not otherwise be available to a person.
This information does not affect the operation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.
Please note these injuries and hazards are based on historical claims data. There may also be new common injuries and hazards emerging at your workplace which will need to be addressed.