Managing risk in the vineyard this vintage

Vineyard owners and managers are encouraged to be prepared for the hazards that workers will face during this vintage period.

Workers on vineyards are exposed to many different health and safety hazards, so it is important to consult with them when preparing programs to reduce these risks.

COMMON HAZARDS
Vineyard workers often include a mix of employed, labour hired and contractors. Over vintage in particular that can include many new, short-term, visa holders or migrant workers that may not understand well the risks that they will face.

Risk is the possibility that harm (death, injury or illness) might occur when people are exposed to a hazard.

Common hazards faced by workers in vineyards include:

• Pushing and lifting heavy bins, tubs, barrels, pumps, hoses, and mixers
• Using secateurs, picking knives and other hand tools
• Operating equipment on uneven terrain
• Working with hazardous chemicals
• Insects and snakes
• Working remotely and/or away from immediate help
• Working at night and in extreme weather conditions
• Loading and unloading grape bins.

The risk posed by hazards, such as the above need to be managed. This is done, by identifying the hazard, assessing the risk, putting controls in place (elimination is preferred, but not always possible or practical) and then review how effective the controls are.

When it comes to effective risk management in practice:

• Be prepared by planning
• People who work in the vineyard should be involved in the planning
• This does not need to be a complex task; the important thing is to identify risks and work out how to manage them
• Your plan is only as good as the way it is implemented and how up-to-date it is
• It’s no use doing the work then not telling people about it.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND ADVICE

Wine Grape Council of SA (WGCSA) has an arrangement with the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) to provide assistance and advice in relation to work health and safety and workplace relations.

WGCSA members can contact SAWIA on 8222 9277 or [email protected].

SAWIA also has a range of complimentary WHS resources on its website, such as the free Fit4Work resource for vineyard workers. Consultants, designed to provide the industry with task-specific musculoskeletal health and wellbeing related resources. 3 online training modules (2 grape growing task specific modules along with one general wellbeing module) and an induction package and associated resources are available to assist grape growers in implementing the training resources at their site.