Safety in seeding

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.