Agriculture: Fruit and nut tree growing

Hazards and Solutions

1. Hazard 1 Falls from ladders

   • Provide appropriate equipment (eg agricultural elevated work platforms, or ladders where elevated work platforms are not reasonably practicable) and ensure they are used, inspected, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Ensure equipment is fit for purpose taking into consideration ground conditions (eg holes or uneven ground may result in ladders being unstable and prevent them from being safely erected).
   • Ladders should be examined before use and after any drops or impacts that may result in damage.
   • Train employees on how to safely use agricultural elevating work platforms.
   • Train employees on how to safely set up and use ladders (eg picking fruit within a safe reach area; an employee’s belt buckle should not be outside the side rails of the ladder, not using the top two rungs, one person only on a ladder, always using three points of contact when ascending or descending).
   • Ensure employees wear appropriate non-slip footwear.
2. Hazard 2 Manual handling (eg lifting chemicals pruning picking sorting)

   • When designing work flow and processes consider the layout of the workplace (eg packing sheds).
   • Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment to control the risks associated with manual handling (eg trolleys, forklifts, pallet trolleys).
   • Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Order products in smaller sizes (eg 20kg bags instead of 40kg bags). When handling larger sizes, use mechanical aids and equipment.
   • Train employees 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).
   • Work should be undertaken at a comfortable and realistically sustainable pace (eg when picking produce).
   • Provide rest periods and/or job rotations where appropriate.
3. Hazard 3 Noise

   • Ensure employees are not exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard.
   • Arrange for a noise assessment if employees are exposed to noise and if there is uncertainty as to whether employees exposure may have exceeded the noise exposure standard.
   • Eliminate or minimise the source of noise (eg enclose or isolate noisy machinery, reduce vibration, use barriers to absorb and screens to block the direct path of sound, use silencers on air exhausts, exhaust pneumatics out of the area, locate plant and machinery away from entrances and exits and other high traffic areas, select tools / machinery that do not exceed the noise exposure standard).
   • Place warning signs in noisy areas where hearing protectors must be worn to alert employees of the risk of exposure.
   • Ensure nearby workers are warned that noisy work will be undertaken and advise them to move away or wear hearing protection.
   • Provide hearing protectors and ensure they are worn. Employers should provide a choice of different types of hearing protection appropriate to the noise level in the workplace.
4. Hazard 4 Use of tractors and other plant

   • Provide appropriate powered plant (eg tractors and attachments such as post hole diggers) and ensure they are used, inspected and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Ensure tractors, and where appropriate other mobile plant, are fitted with roll-over protection structures (ROPs) and seatbelts.
   • Ensure vehicles used are in good working order and fit for purpose having regard to loads, attachments, and terrain).
   • Guard all moving machinery parts on equipment such as the tractor power take off (PTO) and post hole diggers.
   • Guard entire length of PTO and couplings, and ensure guards are secured at all times.
   • Ensure PTO cover is in good working order, fitted correctly and chained to prevent it turning with the PTO.
   • Train employees how to safely use plant (eg never get on or off a moving vehicle, always use three points of contact and hand holds when climbing into or out of a tractor, check ground surface before exiting high vehicles, avoid jumping down from heights, never start a tractor while outside the vehicle, ensure attachments are secure and cannot fall when detached from vehicle).
   • Ensure employees remove all jewellery, tie long hair back, and wear appropriate clothing with no loose straps. 
5. Hazard 5 Using tools and equipment

   • Provide appropriate tools and equipment (eg extension handles, pneumatic secateurs, chainsaws) and ensure they are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 
   • Sharpen hand tools in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Train employees on how to safely use tools and equipment (eg secateurs, chainsaws).
   • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (eg gloves for pruning plants with thorns and prickles, safety glasses to protect eyes from debris).
   • Provide rest periods and/or job rotations where appropriate.
6. Hazard 6 Wet uneven and slippery ground

   • Ensure floor surfaces in work areas are kept dry and clear of clutter and obstructions.
   • Ensure ground surfaces are kept clear of clutter and obstructions (eg clear or mulch cuttings after pruning).
   • Regularly mow grass between tree rows.
   • Make sure a system for cleaning spillages is in place and that it is followed. Clean up spills immediately.
   • Ensure employees wear appropriate footwear (eg robust, non-slip).