New season brings new risks on-farm

Heading into spring is a good time to review your farm health and safety plan and discuss with staff new risks that may come with the change of season.

Spring brings high numbers of farm workplace injuries involving vehicle incidents, hitting stationary objects, being trapped between a moving and stationary object, muscular strains and falls. Working with employees to identify risks and ensuring people are well prepared and well equipped to manage these is critical. It is also important to manage less obvious risks that can be a significant factor in accidents, such as fatigue and the many factors that contribute to fatigue. “Fatigue reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively,” says Al McCone, Agricultural Lead for WorkSafe. “It reduces alertness and speed of decision-making, which leads to errors and an increase in workplace incidents and injuries.” Fatigue can be a result of work schedules, such as long or irregular hours or night work, physically or mentally demanding work or working outside in very hot or very cold weather. Many farms are exploring different ways of working such as rotating rosters as a way of reducing fatigue and injury. Other pressures, such as regular criticism, unrealistic deadlines or issues with colleagues, can be emotionally exhausting. “People may also be facing pressures outside work,” says Al. “Having young children can disrupt sleep or people may be facing personal or emotional worries. People often don’t feel able to admit to feeling below par, so it’s important to be aware if they seem low or tired. If it’s down to too many late nights socialising then it’s time for a talk about work/life balance, but it may be down to the way work is organised.” The law requires employers to ensure so far as is “reasonably practicable” that the health and safety of workers and of others is not put at risk from their work. “That means managing the risks that arise from fatigue and that is certainly something that can be an issue on farms,” says Al. “Creating a positive work environment where you look out for your own and your workers’ wellbeing and manage any fatigue issues will bring health and safety and productivity benefits.” Where possible, avoid working outside during temperature extremes or minimise exposure through job rotation. Provide adequate facilities for rest breaks, provide drinking water and set an example by taking adequate breaks yourself and reminding workers to take theirs. Working through tiredness should never be seen as a badge of honour. “It is important to make sure workloads are manageable and avoid impractical deadlines,” says Al. “At the end of the day, if you are relying on people always doing the right thing to avoid incidents, you are looking at safety the wrong way. People will always make mistakes – no one is perfect. Reduce the chance of making errors and harm. Always look to make sure that when a person makes a mistake, the amount of harm is reduced. Wear seatbelts. Put crush protection on your quads. Have emergency systems for people working alone.”

| Spring brings with it high numbers of farm workplace injuries.

Article supplied by WorkSafe NZ

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