It’s time to prepare
In some areas of Victoria harvest has already kicked off, with the remainder gearing up to soon do so.
Harvest is a busy season, and it is important to ensure you prepare both your machinery and yourself for this period.
Check all machinery
All machinery both in the field and in the shed should be checked and serviced as needed before the harvest. Confirm it is safe and suitable for its intended use.
Review equipment manuals for maintenance guidelines. Check fluid levels, including oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluids, and top them off if necessary.
Inspect belts, hoses, and filters for signs of wear or damage, and replace any that are frayed or clogged.
Test the electrical systems and batteries to ensure they’re fully charged and functional.
Clean the equipment, removing any debris or residue from previous use, and calibrate settings according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Finally, run a few test cycles to verify that everything operates smoothly before heading into the field.
Fire Danger
There are increased risks of bush and crop fire during harvest, with dry, dusty and hot conditions. Fire safety should be accounted for in your harvest management plan, with all employees aware of where fire equipment is located, who to call in emergency, and how to use the UHF radio.
The Country Fire Association has a fantastic page covering all areas of harvest fire safety, which should be reviewed in preparation for the harvest.
Access the CFA webpage by clicking here.
Rest your Body
Harvest is a time of high fatigue, characterised with long hours, limited break time, and poor eating routine. It is vital that you allow your body to rest, and get adequate sleep in before operating machinery.
Reduce risk by preparing your harvesting schedule ahead of time, and having enough contractors or employees, if the workload is too much for you alone. Aim to make a roster with clear shift start and end times, plana ahead for extra help in high demand periods.
Do you know the signs of fatigue?
- Near-misses and making mistakes
- Poor short-term memory and concentration
- Low or no energy and motivation
- Dizziness and headaches
- Slower reaction times
- Reduced coordination
- Nodding off and microsleeping
- Irritability
To help fight fatigue, you can try:
- Simple stretches
- Rotating tasks
- Increasing water intake
- Taking breaks where possible
- Eating healthy snacks
- Calling friends and family, using handsfree speaker
Understand that you will be fatigued coming off a long shift, and consider making alternate arrangements to get home afterwards, such as being picked up by friend or family.
Read more about mitigating risks of harvest fatigue on the WorkSafe webpage, here.
Train Employees
As an employer it is your responsibility to ensure a safe work environment for employees, with proper policies in place.
Prior to harvest, have a toolbox meeting with your employees and ask them:
- Are the guards in place?
- Are the leads damaged or frayed?
- Are the PTO shafts in place and properly installed?
- Does the PTO have a box shroud (cover) over it?
- Is there anywhere on the machine that a person could get any part of the body caught?
- Are there any exposed cogs or chains?
- Do the Safety Stops work?
Head to our website to access training checklists to help ensure you have covered all bases with your employee.