GRAIN growers have being encouraged to implement strategies to ensure harvest 2016 is safe.
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is backing calls by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety for the prioritisation of the welfare of all those involved in harvesting this year’s crops.
GRDC grower services manager Alan Umbers said harvest was a testing time of the year so being prepared was critical.
“It is important that growers remain firmly focused on planning for a safe and successful harvest, especially after having to contend with numerous challenges during the 2016 growing season, from frosts in the west through to flooding and waterlogging in the southern and northern cropping regions,” Mr Umbers said.
Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety director Tony Lower said growers experienced intense pressure and fatigue during harvest and there were usually many inexperienced seasonal workers employed – all factors that exposed the industry to a heightened risk of danger.
Dr Lower said the mix of people, machinery, extended working hours and fatigue, made for a potent cocktail increasing the risk of injury and downtime during harvest.
“It is in everyone’s interest to manage fatigue and while there is no one-size fits all solution, there are things that you can do,” Dr Lower said.
