Harvest is often an intense time for farmers and their families – with long working hours, large machinery, shorter daylight hours and pressure to meet deadlines. We have prepared some information below with tips on how to keep yourself and your workers safe this potato harvest.
1. Maintenance
Implement a daily check on vehicles and machinery to make sure everything is working correctly and is legal (it’s worth double-checking brakes, lights and indicators on tractors and trailers). Ask anyone who drives a vehicle to report any damage or defects immediately so they can be rectified.
2. ‘Safe Stop’
Follow the simple protocol of engaging the handbrake, putting the controls in neutral, switching the engine/power off and removing the key before leaving the driver’s seat, when anyone else approaches or before anyone carries out maintenance, adjustments or deals with a blockage. Always ensure all moving parts are disengaged before attempting to remove blockages. Likewise, never mount or dismount a harvester or harvester tractor while it is in motion – always wait until the machine is stationary. If you need to speak to the driver urgently, content them via phone or radio.
3. Training
Ask yourself: is everyone who will be using machinery competent and confident? Do they have the relevant qualifications? Are temporary workers such as students or contractors suitably experienced and qualified, and have they been given the information and training they need?
4. In-cab items
We recommend you keep a laminated piece of paper in the cab, ready to put on the seat or the dashboard if you’re working under the machine, telling other people you’re there. It would also be useful to have a list of what3words for all potato field locations, particularly if you are employing students or contractors who may be unfamiliar with the area. You should also consider keeping a first-aid kit in all vehicles.
5. Map
You should give anyone unfamiliar with the farm a map showing key safety information, such as overhead power lines, underground cables, public footpaths, areas of sloping ground, bridge strengths and the location of livestock. Also, ask drivers to do a visual check when entering a field or yard. Should anyone come into contact with an overhead power line, they should remain in the cab and warn others in the area to stay well clear. Call 105. They should not exit the cab until there has been confirmation it’s safe to do so. If they must exit the cab (for example if the machine catches fire), they should not climb down the steps – instead, they will need to jump well clear. Drivers must not touch the machine when they are on the ground as it could be live.
6. Health and Wellbeing
Long working hours driving machinery is tiring. Fatigue affects concentration which can lead to accidents, so it’s important that all drivers take regular breaks. All drivers should stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and avoid too many energy drinks (and too much alcohol after work). Try to eat little and often, and a balanced diet where possible.
7. Lone working
Everyone should carry a mobile phone at all times (including when they leave the cab). Ensure everyone has a list of key contact information, knows the right emergency numbers and carry phones that are always fully charged. It’s worth downloading the what3words app so you can share your exact location in case of an emergency. You could also suggest anyone working on their own regularly checks in – via a message on a group chat, for example.
8. On the road
When moving between fields or transporting potatoes back to the yard, be mindful of other drivers as they can be impatient. Ensure everyone drives in a safe, lawful manner, always observing the highway code. If you require an escort vehicle, make sure this is planned in advance.
9. Be seen
Wear hi-viz clothing so you can be spotted and make sure your machines are sufficiently visible, too, by regularly checking lights are working and free of dust and dirt. This is particularly important now the days are drawing in, and daylight hours are shorter.
10. Children
Keep youngsters out of yards and away from where machinery is working or moving. Ensure you know where your children are at all times and explain to them the dangers a farm presents. Where children do visit the farm, they must be supervised by an adult who is not involved in working activities.
11. Pre-harvest prep
Think about yard maintenance ahead of harvest – can the yard be tidied to remove trip hazards, items that could represent a collision risk and are there any low-hanging tree branches that could be trimmed to improve visibility? It’s important to keep a high standard of housekeeping.
12. Mental health
When people are struggling, they think less clearly and that’s when mistakes can happen. Take time to be mindful of your mental health in the run up to – and during – harvest. Look out for one another. If you are struggling, speak to someone, whether that’s a trusted friend, family member or charity. There are plenty of resources online, should you need them.
For further help and advice, please contact our Health and Safety team on 01981 590514.
