Broadacre farms in Western Australia are preparing to start seeding. Planning is key to making this season a safe season. Planning includes inspecting and maintaining machinery and plant, sourcing and training workers, and preparing paddocks.
The safety of workers, contractors and others needs to be adequately planned and communicated to ensure that workers are not placed at risk of injury or harm to health.
Consider the following hazards and tips to prevent incidents
Chemicals used to knock down weeds prior to seeding
Consult safety data sheets for information on personal protective equipment (PPE), any health concerns and safety measures
Provide the highest level of PPE required
Provide workers with information, training and instruction in the proper use and wearing of PPE and its storage and maintenance.
Movement of plant and machinery
Develop safe operating procedures regarding the movement of vehicles
Ensure family members and workers understand the procedure and children do not play around mobile plant
Ensure there is a clear form of communication between operators
Ensure lights, brakes and handbrakes are fully operational
Operators wear seatbelts in plant where they are provided.
Guarding of plant
Ensure power take-off (PTO) guarding covers all rotating parts
Ensure guards on moving belts, chains, shafts, gears etc. are in place and regularly checked for wear and damage.
Overhead power lines contacting plant
Know the height and width of your machinery to ensure it will not make contact with a power line.
Fatigue management
Plan for adequate rest and sleep breaks.
Fitness for work
Develop a fitness for work policy in consultation with workers
Communicate with workers and contractors your fitness for work policy.
Working alone
Plan for regular communication with workers working alone
Know where workers are working and approximate time they will return.
Language and other potential barriers to communication
Ensure that all workers and contractors are adequately informed of hazards at the workplace including:
shift workers, workers who work non-standard hours or flexibly, and mobile workers
seasonal or temporary workers (e.g. labour hire workers)
workers who have a disability
workers with diverse language or literacy needs
contractors and others at the worksite
Ensure that the means of communication suits all workers, and they have been trained in those means
Ensure that workers have access to more than one form of communication where possible e.g. radio contact and mobile phone use.
Emergency planning
Ensure that emergency response plans are in place, and workers have been trained in these plans.
Guidance available
Think Safe this seeding season and reap the rewards of planning for safety. Visit WorkSafe’s agricultural health and safety webpage for guidance, checklists and latest news.
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