Sweeping Almonds in Tree Rows Safe Operating Procedures | General information | Almond farms 0:04 Before you start This video provides general information for workers on almond farms. Before you start work, your host employer will explain the exact safe operating procedure, machine instructions and personal protective equipment required at your site. This video supports training. It does not replace practical training, assessment, supervisor sign-off or a training record. English is the authoritative version. 0:39 Step 1 Pre-start/safety meeting Potential risk. Employees not aware of traffic management requirements may lead to serious collision resulting in injury to operator and damage to equipment Poor communication when machinery is moved from block to block Employees with language barriers may not understand traffic management plans Employees taking short cuts through headlands may lead to collisions resulting in injury to employees and damage to equipment Risk treatment. Employees MUST attend morning pre-starts in front of the orchard activity board host employer management MUST communicate traffic routes before the start of each shift Equipment specific supervisors MUST reiterate traffic management plans to their teams If there are language barriers an interpreter MUST be used to communicate traffic management requirements If traffic management changes throughout the day host employer management and supervisors are responsible for communicating changes to employees and updating the orchard activity board. 1:52 Step 2 Training and Safety Potential risk. Workers unsure of the process may lead to unwanted events which may result in injury, fatality or damage to equipment Risk treatment. At the end of this training which includes the practical component if you are unsure of the process do not proceed contact your Supervisor and the Orchard Manager immediately If at any time during this process you feel unsafe you are authorised and expected to stop Contact your Supervisor and the Orchard Manager immediately 2:33 Step 3 Complete daily checklist Potential risk. Damage or breakdown of equipment. Injury to operator Risk treatment. Any adjustment changes must be reported to the Supervisor. Operators are not authorised to open bonnets on Sweepers unless both gas struts are installed and working. This MUST be completed by Maintenance personnel. Adjustments are to be completed by the Supervisor in conjunction with the Maintenance Department. Any adjustment changes must be reported to the Supervisor. Adjustments are to be completed by the supervisor in conjunction with the maintenance department. Leave equipment shut down whilst doing checks. When completing checks ensure the equipment is isolated. Ensure all controls and seating are adjusted for support and comfort. Confirm correct channel and complete UHF radio check During training ensure operators understand how to make adjustments of controls and seating. Equipment supervisor must monitor pre-start operation Pre-start checks must be documented. 3:53 Step 4 Starting Sweeper Potential risk. Accidents because of slow operation of cold hydraulic systems. Injuries to operator because of cold hydraulic systems. Risk treatment. Engage machine brake and start engine at idle speed and allow five minutes warm up. Assist warm up by operating all hydraulic systems including head,blower,reel motor and steering in assigned designated area prior to sweeping in rows. 4:27 Step 5 Check Sweeper settings Potential risk. Incorrect settings causing damage to the machine. Incorrect settings causing injury to the operator. Incorrect settings resulting in low efficiency of sweeper operation. Risk treatment. Check all settings for optimum operation and efficiency of Sweeper. Operators are not authorised to change sweeper settings Operators must report any concerns with sweeping process immediately to Supervisor Supervisor will make Sweeper changes in conjunction with Maintenance Department. Orchard Manager MUST sign off on any Sweeper changes. 5:13 Step 6 Travel to work area Potential risk. Damage to the sweeper from impact of machine on irrigation infrastructure and trees. Rear ending the machine in front if it stops abruptly. Collision due to lack of concentration. Damage to machine. Injuries to operator Injuries to machine operator from impact accidents. Operators exposed to accidents at headlands. Operators exposed to sticks entering operator’s cabin. Operator exposed to noise and dust conditions. Risk treatment. You MUST be aware of the current day's traffic management plan. Discuss any known obstacles in work area with the supervisor before the start of the day’s work. Operator must wear seat belt if fitted and operate machine with main safety door closed and bolted at all times. Be aware of travel surface and look out for wash outs, bog holes and uneven ground. Drive to conditions to prevent Sweeper head from bouncing Keep a minimum distance of 5 trees which = 20 - 25 meters Sound horn before moving off 6:31 Step 7 Commence sweeping Potential risk. Contaminated windrow Damage to Sweeper from incorrect alignment Interaction with Sweepers due to driving down wrong row. Injury to people from blower chute People being entangled in the Sweeper paddle reel Risk treatment. Be specifically careful when looking for row numbers. Sweeper operator MUST stop when another person is in line of the blower. If for any reason you need to access the paddle wheel,chute or tine bars shut down and isolate the Sweeper Line up in your designated row. Start Sweeping procedure Monitor your reversing camera to inspect nut windrow for excessive sand and left nut. If there is excessive nut and sand being left behind stop immediately and contact the Supervisor. Maintain designated speed and line which will be determined by the Supervisor If there are any objects that could impact windows or the safety of the operator you must avoid by removing the object or driving around the object. Operator to check for traffic before crossing headlands. Hearing protection is to be worn by operator. Operators must report an issues with the sweeping process immediately to their Supervisor which could include irregular sounds,smells and visual differences. Never take short cuts always travel the designated route communicated by management/supervisors and highlighted on the orchard activity board 8:15 Step 8 End of shift routine maintenance Potential risk. Bites from spiders. Pinch points. Eye injuries. Burns on hot areas Equipment not isolated Risk treatment. Allow time for machine to sufficiently cool down. At the end of the work period, clean down machine remove leaves and nuts at the end of the completed row. Blow down Sweeper to remove any excess dust, nuts and sticks Check machine for oil leaks and potential maintenance. Refill Sweepers in preparation for the oncoming shift Use all required PPE including gloves, long sleeves, long trousers and positive sealed safety glasses. When using compressed air Safety goggles with strap must be worn. Isolate the equipment at the end of shift 9:14 Qualifications and experience Qualifications and experience. All employees/ workers must be trained, hold relevant licenses, and be assessed as competent before operating any equipment on host employer sites. there must be safety induction records with the workers’ name on the records. where licenses are required a copy of this must be on site file or personal file. 9:42 Duties and responsibilities Duties and responsibilities. All employees/ workers must adhere to host employer policies and procedures and report any concerns and incidents immediately to their manager/ supervisor. it is the responsibility of both host employer onsite management and contractor companies to identify language barriers and provide interpreters where required. 10:11 Training required Training required. All employees/ workers must have been inducted to the site and deemed competent in relevant Safe Operating Procedure and site traffic management plans. site managers must sign off all Safe Operating Procedure before employees/ worker start work on site or equipment. training should be completed by a competent person or training organization. 10:40 Codes of practice and legislation Codes of practice and legislation. All employees/ workers must adhere to codes of practice, standards and guideline, whs and ohs acts and regulations. 10:57 Plant, equipment and PPE Plant, equipment and PPE. Job specific protective personal equipment (ppe) must be identified and worn when required (i.e. positive sealed goggles with a strap when using compressed air). PPE is a shared responsibility between your host employer and Orchard Tech. Your host employer will provide the PPE required for your task. If the required PPE has not been supplied, stop work and contact Orchard Tech. workers to wear all outdoor ppe where required – wear positive sealed eye protection, gloves, hat, sunburn cream, steel capped boots, long sleeve shirts and long trousers. hi viz clothing must be worn at all times. 11:53 Maintenance checks Maintenance checks. If a vehicle, plant, equipment, or machinery is found to be defective or damaged, it must be tagged with ‘out of service’ tag until repaired and isolation register completed. daily pre-start/ pre-shift checks and post-checks if required are to be completed and recorded in all instances. maintenance teams are responsible for all maintenance on equipment. workers can only undertake maintenance if they have been adequately trained in the relevant process. 12:32 Before work starts This video provides general information. Before you start work, your host employer will explain the exact procedure and provide practical training for your site. This video does not replace assessment, supervisor sign-off or a training record. If you do not understand something, use the English or talk to your supervisor at the host employer site. The host will provide you with an interpreter. Orchard Tech · hari@orchardtech.com.au · 0439 32 32 32