Working Through Rows with High-Impact Branches 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 Operating through rows - High Impact Branches Potential risk. Employees not aware high risk branch areas could cause injury to operators, broken windows and damage to equipment Poor communication when machinery is moved from block to block Employees with language barriers may not understand information in regard to high risk branch areas Risk treatment. Employees MUST attend morning pre-starts in front of the orchard activity board host employer management MUST communicate high risk branch areas before the start of each shift Equipment specific supervisors MUST reiterate high risk branch areas to their teams If there are language barriers an interpreter MUST be used to communicate high risk area requirements 1:38 Step 2 Pre-start equipment Potential risk. Faulty equipment may lead to production issues and damage to equipment If there is no handsaw in the equipment the operator will most likely make the decision to drive through a high impact branch Operators not being able to call supervisors due to faulty UHF's Risk treatment. Ensure all pre starts are completed and documented. Ensure you have a handsaw, cut resistant gloves and positive sealed glasses before driving out to the orchard Ensure the UHF is working before leaving for the field 2:19 Step 3 Driving through rows Potential risk. Attempting to drive through branches could cause the window to be broken resulting in injury to operators and damage to the equipment. Risk treatment. Equipment MUST hold its line as close to the middle of the row as possible. NOTE: when operating shakers do not drive towards the trees to increase shaking speed as this will raise the potential for windows to be impacted by branches. NOTE: When sweeping in rows maintain a straight line let the blower do the work. Where possible drive around high impact branches. 3:03 Step 4 High impact branches Potential risk. Broken windows Potential injury to operators Uncontrolled movement of equipment Inadequate UHF communication Cut injuries if gloves are not being worn Risk treatment. Bring the equipment to a stop when you see a branch that could break a window. Disengage all shaker/sweeper heads,PTO's etc. Apply the park brake Communicate via UHF you exiting the equipment. Grab the handsaw,cut resistant gloves and positive sealed safety glasses. NOTE: Ensure all PPE is being worn when cutting branches. Cut the branch and place on the mound of the row you are in. NOTE: never throw the branch into another row. Call the Supervisor and communicate the block and row number. When safe to do so the supervisor will remove the branch to the closest stick pile 4:06 Step 5 Broken window Potential risk. If the machinery is moved before the investigation the actual cause of the incident will most likely not be found Risk treatment. In the event a window is broken by a branch stop and call the supervisor immediately. NOTE: DO NOT MOVE THE EQUIPMENT The incident must be fully investigated by the orchard manager/orchard supervisor to determine the type of branch that has broken the window and the line of the equipment. Photos of the branch and position of the equipment MUST be taken before the equipment can be moved The only time the machinery can be moved without authorisation is if there is a direct safety risk to the operator 4:57 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. 5:25 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. 5:55 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. 6:23 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. 6:40 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. 7:36 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. 8:16 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