Spring Orchard Work: Put UV Protection into the Daily Plan

Source checked: 18 September 2026. Victoria. General information; assess the circumstances of the actual work.

A cool spring morning can encourage a crew to treat sun protection as a summer task. For an orchard supervisor, the better starting point is the day’s UV information and the work location. A plan that relies on everyone remembering a hat leaves important decisions unresolved.

Use several controls together

WorkSafe Victoria’s outdoor-worker guidance addresses shade, changing work timing, protective clothing, hats, eye protection and sunscreen. It explains that reflected and scattered UV can still reach people in shade and that sunscreen cannot provide complete protection on its own. Its guidance recommends checking local UV information when planning outdoor tasks.

Check the supplies where work begins

A practical start-of-shift check can cover the planned work area, available shade and access to suitable protection. Ask whether clothing and hats fit the task and whether workers can obtain replacement supplies. Store sunscreen according to its label and away from excessive heat; leaving it in a hot vehicle is a poor supply arrangement.

Make changed tasks a review point

A hypothetical crew begins with shaded packing work and later moves outside to sort bins. The original indoor briefing no longer describes its exposure. Before the move, review the outdoor duration, timing, shade and protective equipment. This is especially useful where workers arrive with different expectations about the day’s duties.

Listen to practical obstacles

Ask workers what makes the arrangements difficult to use. A hat that interferes with required equipment or supplies that are inaccessible during work need a practical response. Involve affected workers and health and safety representatives in selecting controls. Record who will solve each problem, then check the solution in the field rather than only updating the written plan.

Official guidance and related reading

WorkSafe Victoria guidance. For the wider planning process, see Orchard Tech’s harvest workforce checklist.

About the author

Hari Yellina is Chief Executive Officer at Orchard Tech. His articles cover agricultural workforce planning, labour hire and practical workplace responsibilities.

Featured image: AI-generated illustration of an invented scene; it does not depict an Orchard Tech site or employee.