Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
MODULE
WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY & PROCEDURES
RURAL SAFETY RULES
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Locomotives
When approaching a locomotive (cane train) and cane
rail track, always give way to trains and cross at
designated crossing areas.
Cane Bins
Passing through or climbing on cane bins, either full or
empty, outside the defined loading area is prohibited.
Climbing through or on cane bins in a defined load area
is only permitted where the person has exclusive control
of the siding.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Sidings
Right of way procedures apply during harvest season:
- If a locomotive is shunting it is the duty of the haul-out driver to
wait until the locomotive has finished and left the siding before
loading or unloading
- If the haul-out vehicle is loading in a siding, the locomotive crew
must wait until the haul-out operator has finished before
entering the siding
- Communicate using warning devices such as two-way radio
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Chemicals (Agricultural)
When working with chemicals the worker must have completed an approved
(accredited) course or work under direct supervision or instruction of a certified
person;
Always read the label and current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before using a
chemical. All instructions on the SDS are to be followed.
Never use a chemical that is not labeled correctly.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face shield, goggles, rubber
gloves and suitable clothing must be worn when handling chemical products;
Eating, drinking or smoking is not permitted during the handling of chemicals;
After handling chemicals, operators must ensure that personal hygiene
measures are taken.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Emergency Treatment for chemical exposure:
Wash the affected area with copious amounts of cold water; then
Obtain first aid treatment.
Chemical Storage :
Chemicals must be stored away from respirators, protective clothing,
face shields, fuels, oils and other equipment;
Promptly clean up any spills;
Store all chemicals in their original containers with labels intact. If a
label comes off, always re-label the container with a label from the
manufacturer;
Never store chemicals in food or drink containers;
Keep chemical shed locked to prevent unlawful entry.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Mixing Chemicals
Mixing must be done in well ventilated areas;
Mixing with your hands is strictly prohibited – if mixing is necessary, use an
appropriate paddle;
“Ute it, don’t boot it” – Transportation of chemicals within vehicle cabins is
prohibited.
Chemical Application
Apply pesticides and herbicides safely:
- Before use, check what emergency treatment or procedures may be
required;
- Ensure carbon filters are in cab spray tractors;
- Do not pour concentrated pesticides into tanks above shoulder height;
- Ensure only the recommended rate of chemical is used.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Working around power lines
“Look Up and Live”
No equipment or plant should be parked under any power line
Electrical Exclusion Zones
An exclusion zone around power lines and transformer earthing mats is 3 metres
Intruding into an exclusion zone is strictly prohibited.
In cases where work must be carried out closer ONLY someone who is trained as
an approved authorised person may enter an exclusion zone.
Earthing mats are located under transformers. These discharge any unused
electricity. Damage to earthing mats can cause electrocution.
A safety observer MUST BE present in the case of farm operations that occur
near power lines and there is a possibility that may intrude into an exclusion zone.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Isolation
Keys must be removed from the ignition when carrying out maintenance.
Where there is risk of injury if the motor was to crank, then a full load method of
isolation must be used, eg isolation switch or disconnect the battery.
Danger Tags – Do Not Operate
Danger tags are:
Red, black and white
Used when personally working on equipment
Never use or remove someone else’s tag
If three people are working on a machine there should
be three tags
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Out of Service tags are:
Yellow and black
Used by a person to indicate a piece of equipment is faulty or out of
service.
Main reason for use - you have identified a hazard in equipment and you
believe that its operation could cause personal injury or damage to
equipment.
Do Not operate equipment when an ‘Out Of Service’ tag is attached to it or
its controls.
The person who repairs the equipment may remove the tag.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Special Instruction tags are:
• Green and Must Not be used for isolation
• Used for equipment which must be left in a certain state (on/off), that is
not faulty, out of service, or a danger to person/s working on
equipment, or to pass on instructions in regard to that equipment
• Allows information to be passed to personnel next shift or next day and
used for leaving instruction, eg a switch is left on or a valve is required
to be half open.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Chainsaws
All chainsaw operators are to be competent in the safe operation of
chainsaws, associated equipment, and hold a chainsaw certificate to
Level 2 – Basic Tree Felling.
Machine Guarding
Machinery is guarded for your protection. Guards are only removed for
maintenance purposes. Guards MUST BE replaced before the
machinery is tested or operated.
Machinery Operations
Operation of machinery is to be carried out in accord with the
manufacturer’s operations manual located within the vehicle.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Harvesters
A current licence / certificate of competency or a Bundaberg Sugar authority is
required to operate a harvester.
The harvester operator must receive appropriate training in both the machine’s
operation and haul-out equipment.
Fully adjust the seat including lumbar support, so all controls can be operated
comfortably and safely. Wear a seatbelt where fitted.
When working on harvesters NEVER rely on hydraulic support. Ensure
appropriate blocks are fitted to the lift ram to restrain and prevent movement or
dropping. If work is not being carried out under the machine, always lower the
machine and topper.
When cleaning a jammed topper, elevator or base cutter, the engine MUST BE
shut down and the key removed before leaving the operator’s position. Provide
full load method of isolation eg isolation switch or disconnect the battery.
The use of gloves is required when handling chopper knives and topper blades.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Haul-outs
A current licence / certificate of competency or a Bundaberg Sugar
authority is required to operate a haul-out machine.
The operator must also have received appropriate training and
practical instruction from an experienced operator on the method of:
- loading under the harvester,
- turning on headlands,
- loading and unloading at sidings.
When servicing, cleaning or repairing haul-outs with the bin elevated,
always ensure that an appropriate locking system is in place.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Power Take Off (PTO) Equipment
The PTO is to be disengaged before dismounting from the tractor;
PTO guards on tractors and implements are to be maintained and kept in place;
Do not operate with a twisted or bent shaft;
Any defects in the operation of PTOs must be reported to your supervisor immediately;
Tractor must be turned off before connecting or disconnecting the PTO.
Ground Implements
Implements MUST be lowered to the ground when not operational.
Power take off (PTO) shafts and implements must be guarded. Any implements with
defective or missing guarding SHALL NOT be operated. Defects must be reported
immediately to your supervisor.
Implements raised by tractor hydraulics MUST be adequately supported using an
approved implement stand before inspection or maintenance is performed.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Tractors
A current licence / certificate of competency or a Bundaberg Sugar
authority is required to operate a tractor.
Ensure there is a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS). Do not modify
ROPS. No drilling or welding to ROPS.
Keep all guards in place, including Power Take-Off (PTO).
Only start tractors when seated in the driving position.
Conduct pre-operational inspection and fill in the log book.
Do not park the tractor on a steep slope or incline, and never dismount
from a moving tractor.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Prestart Check
Each operator must complete a combined visual / testing inspection of the machine at
the start of each shift and complete the prestart book for that machine.
Hitching
Fit attachments in accord with manufacturers’ requirements and always use
mounting points or drawbar provided by the manufacturer. Do not use improvised
methods.
Do not alter, modify or raise the height of the drawbar outside of those
adjustments made possible by the manufacturer.
When a power implement is attached to the tractor, all guards must be in place
before operating.
Never hitch above the centre line of the rear axle, around the axle housing or to
the top link pin.
Do not use or attach implements unless the PTO shaft is guarded.
Never attempt to adjust, or work on, implements while they are in motion.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Travelling Irrigators (Water Winches)
Special precautions are required for the operation of
agricultural sprinklers such as travelling irrigators, including:
- Treat all irrigator guns as potentially dangerous
- Trip the walking mechanism when doing any work on the
winch and turn off tap before climbing up onto an irrigator
- Water leaving the guns is under very high pressure. Ensure
the drive arm (flicker) is restrained if working on the gun;
- Operators should never stand on or in front of an irrigator
when starting
- Keep clear of the towing cable, especially when the irrigator
walking gear is engaged. Exercise extreme caution if
manually releasing the winch cable as the irrigator may
move suddenly;
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Travelling Irrigators (Water Winches) cont’d
Electrical Hazards: When operating in an area check for the presence of aerial
conductors (eg overhead power lines), always maintain a safe distance from
electrical wires and never enter an exclusion zone;
Movement of irrigation pipe near power lines may result in earthing. Irrigation
pipes are in lengths that will easily cover the distance between ground and
overhead power lines. Pipes must be carried horizontal to the ground.
Hoses must be purged before winding onto the hose trailer.
Workers should not leave the tractor operator seat whilst winding hoses and be
prepared to disengage the PTO.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Motor Bikes, Four Wheelers and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Wear appropriate high visibility clothing, footwear and PPE which includes but is
not limited to helmet and eye protection.
Never tow water winches.
Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) must be kept in place.
Mounting and Dismounting Machinery
Individuals must adopt the 3 points of contact method while both dismounting and
mounting machinery (ie two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand).
Ensure that you are facing the access method being ladders, steps, etc. that is,
always dismount backwards. DO NOT forward dismount or jump.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Mobile Telephones
Workers must not use mobile phones whilst driving company vehicles or personal
vehicles on Bundaberg Sugar land unless using a hands free kit.
Radio Communication
All messages should be clear and concise.
Before initiating a transmission, check that no other message is being transmitted
to avoid jamming or distorting. The exception is for emergency calls.
Inappropriate language including swearing is prohibited.
Road Signing
Operational warning signs / devices for hazardous conditions are to be
appropriately positioned when work is in progress to alert road users.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Snake Bite
Snake bite kits are available in all vehicles.
In case of snake bite keep the victim still and reassure them. If you are
the victim move only enough to grab the snake bite kit and call for help.
Do not wash out or suck the wound.
Do not give alcohol or food to the victim.
Immediately apply a pressure bandage to the bite area, DO NOT use a
tourniquet.
Apply a further bandage over as much of the rest of the bitten limb as
practical.
Seek medical assistance at the earliest opportunity.
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
Wildlife
Some wildlife can become aggressive when their habitat is invaded
Before performing work in such areas complete a risk assessment
Arrange for a dedicated observer
Organise a known emergency / escape plan
If working in the area of floodgates:
- Preferably carry out work at low tide
- If practical place an obstacle or barrier to prevent water
from entering the work area
Policies & Procedures RURAL SAFETY RULES
You have now completed the training segment for this module.
Please complete the assessment questions.
TRAINING ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS – Rural Safety Rules
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS QUESTION SHEET. Please complete the questions by providing your answers on the answer sheet provided.
Question 1 - When using an ATV you need to wear? A Helmet B Boots C Safety Glasses or Goggles D All of the Above E None of the Above Question 2 - When working with chemicals the ___________ will recommend the appropriate ___________ required. A Instructions, Clothing B MSDS, PPE C Label, Boots D Supervisor, Gloves Question 3 - While entering and exiting sidings, cooperation not competition, is the key to working safely in workplaces that are shared by various operators. Look out for ___________, and any other ___________. Visibility can be restricted where sidings are adjacent to main rail lines or unharvested cane fields. A Tractor, Vehicles B Contractors, People C Locomotives, Cane Haulage Vehicles D Quad Bikes, Tractors Question 4 - What is the correct method for dismounting machinery? A Jump off only onto level ground B Step off using the 3 points of contact method C Step off ensuring you have at least one hand on a rail or handgrip D No Specific Method, just be careful.
Question 5 - What makes a PTO dangerous? A The speed of the rotating shaft B The sharp edges of the shaft C The heat of the rotating shaft D All of the above E None of the above Question 6 - If maintenance must be carried out on mobile plant and equipment, what is required? A Supported by approved standards B A full load method of isolation C Apply a danger tag D All of the above E No specific requirement is needed Question 7 - Which of the following statements are false? A A worker can use any equipment for which they are trained, certified or licensed. B All unsafe acts and conditions need to be reported to you supervisor or BSL contract. C The operator/driver of a company vehicle or mobile plant must be a current holder of the appropriate licence. D A worker can use any equipment for which they are not trained, certified or licensed. Question 8 - When working with travelling irrigators ___________. A Trip the walking mechanism before doing any work on the winch B Ensure flicker is restrained C Treat all irrigator guns as potentially dangerous D All of the above E None of the above
Question 9 - Chemicals can be carried ___________. A Inside the tractor cabin B In the ute C In the van D All of the above E None of the above Question 10 - A ___________ tag is called ___________ and can be removed by whoever fixes the item. A ___________tag is called ___________ and can be only removed by the person that put it there and a ___________ tag is called ___________. A Yellow, Out of Service, Red, Danger, Green, Information B Green, Information, Red, Danger, Yellow, Out of Service C Green, Information, Yellow, Out of Service, Red, Danger D Red, Danger, Yellow, Out of Service, Green, Information