Agriculture: Nursery and floriculture

Hazards and Solutions

1. Hazard 1 Manual handling (eg lifting plant trays and pots pushing and pulling equipment)

   • Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment to control the risks associated with manual handling (eg hand trolleys, lifter trolleys, powered pruners, platform as an intermediary step if loads need to be raised over shoulder height).
   • Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Regularly inspect and maintain trolleys and tracks to minimise effort required to push / pull or roll along tracks.
   • Select appropriate tools and equipment for the job (eg roll handle or pneumatic secateurs).
   • Reduce the size of plant trays and/or frequency of lifting requirements.
   • Order products in smaller bags / containers (eg 20kg bags instead of 40kg bags). When handling larger sizes, only use mechanical aids and equipment.
   • Where practicable work at bench height to minimise the need to squat and sustain forward bending of the back (maintain an upright back where possible).
   • Train employees on how to safely use any mechanical aids and equipment, and on safe handling methods (eg work is done between shoulder and mid-thigh height with the elbows close to the body).
   • Provide rest periods and/or job rotations where appropriate.
2. Hazard 2 Using tools and equipment

   • Provide appropriate tools and equipment (eg roll handle or pneumatic secateurs) and ensure they are used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
   • Train employees on how to safely use any mechanical aids and equipment (eg how to correctly use chainsaws and secateurs).
   • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (eg gloves for pruning plants with thorns and prickles, safety glasses to protect eyes from debris).
3. Hazard 3 Using tractors and other plant

   • Provide appropriate powered plant (eg tractors) 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 vehicle 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 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 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.
4. Hazard 4 Wet slippery and uneven ground

   • Install non-slip floors (eg matting, textured concrete surfaces).
   • Ensure floor surfaces in work areas are kept clean and clear of clutter and obstructions.
   • Ensure employees do not jump from vehicles, ladders or other high surfaces.
   • 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 non-slip, robust).