LESSON 3:
OBSERVE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN
HORTICULTURAL FARM OPERATIONS
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Definition:
-
Safety- the physical or environmental conditions of work
which comply with the prescribed Occupational Health
Safety (OHS) Standards and which allow the workers to
perform his or her job without or within acceptable
exposure to hazards.
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Occupational Safety- the practices related to production
and work process.
Health- a sound state of body and mind of the workers that
enable him or her to perform the job normally.
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Doing walk-through surveys inspections or safety
audits in the workplace to evaluate the
organization’s health and safety system.
Considering OHS implications when analysing work
processes.
Investigating workplace incidents and “near hits”
reports.
Getting feedback from employees can often
provide valuable information about hazards,
because they have hands on experience in their
work area.
2. ASSESS THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE HAZARD
- This step involves gathering information and
making decisions. To avoid risking the workers’
health, introduce some precautionary measures.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING FARM FACILITIES
3. CONTROL THE RISK
- Establish and maintain systems which give
opportunity for regular evaluation and review
procedures.
Workplace Hazard-is a major cause of accident, injury or harm to a worker
who performs their tasks.
-major concern of all who are involved in a certain job or
work.
Evaluation-means examining control measures to
ensure that risks are eliminated or reduced and have
not caused new hazards.
Hazard
-is the potential for harm, or adverse effect on an
employee’s health. Anything which may cause injury or ill
health to anyone at or near a workplace.
RISK
-is the likelihood that a hazard will cause injury or ill health
to anyone at or near the workplace. The level of risk
increases with the severity of the hazard and the duration
and frequency of exposure.
EXPOSURE
-occurs when a person comes in contact with a hazard.
FOUR STEP PROCESS OF RISK MANAGEMENT
1. Identify the Hazard
Hazard Identification
- 1st step in reducing the cause of accident
- Identifying all situations or events that could cause
injury or illness.
What If Approach
- Try and anticipate all possible hazards at the
workplace.
METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING HAZARDS
- Reviewing your workers’ compensation data and
check the incidence, mechanism and agency injury,
and the cost to organization.
- Staying informed on trends and developments in
workplace health and safety, for example via the
internet.
- Reviewing the potential impact of new work
practices or equipment introduced into the
workplace in line with the legislative requirements.
THREE CATEGORIES OF CONTROL MEASURES
-Eliminate the Hazard
-Minimize the risks
-Introduce “back-up” controls
4. REVIEW THE PROCESS
-the review system applies to the all overall risk
management process and checks if it is working
effectively.
CLASSES OF HAZARD
1. PHYSICAL
- includes floors, chairs, work platforms, steps, ladders,
fire, falling objects, slippery surfaces, manual handling,
excessive loud and prolonged noise, vibration, heat
and cold, radiation, poor lighting
2. MECHANICAL AND/OR ELECTRICAL
- includes electricity, machinery, equipment, pressure
vessels, dangerous goods, fork lifts, cranes, hoists
3. CHEMICAL
-includes chemical substance such as acids, poisons
and those that could lead to fire or explosion, like
pesticides,herbicides,cleaning agents, dusts and fumes
from various processes from welding.
4. BIOLOGICAL
-includes bacteria, viruses, mold,mildew, insects,
vermin,animals
5. PSYCHOSOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
-includes workplace stressors arising from a variety of
sources.
QUIZ.
1. It occurs when a person comes in contact with a
hazard. EXPOSURE
2.To prevent this kind of Hazard you should encourage
team lifts. MANUAL HANDLING
3. The possible harmful effects of this hazard is Sprains.
MANUAL HANDLING
4.Give atleast one example of possible harmful effects
of Dust.
5. It means examining control measures to ensure that
risks are eliminated or reduced and have not caused
new hazards. EXAMINATION
6. VERMIN is an example of what class hazard.
BIOLOGICAL.
7. Anything which may cause injury or ill health to
anyone at or near a workplace is called
______________. HAZARD
8. The possible harmful effects of this hazard is
Legionnaire’s disease. (disease of the lungs caused by
bacteria. Handling Soils/Potting Mixes
9. It is the 1st step in reducing the cause of accident.
IDENTIFY THE HAZARD
10 Heat and Cold is an example of what class hazard.
PHYSICAL
11. SALAMISIM-INSPIRATION
List of possible Hazards in Horticultural Farm Operations
HAZARD
POSSIBLE HARMFUL EFFECTS
Handling of Farm Tools
 Wounds/Cuts
Unleveled Terrain
 Falls
 Cuts
Dust
 Foreign body in eye
 Respiratory effects
Fertilizers
Pesticides
Fuel
 Skin contact may
result in allergic
reaction
 Swallowing of
pesticides or
inhalation of fumes
can lead to
headache, nausea,
dizziness, vomiting,
poisoning, loss of
consciousness and
fatality
 Long-term exposure
may result to chronic
illness including
cancer
Manual Handling
(Bending,Reaching,
Stretching,Pulling, Lifting,
Repetitive Motion,
Awkward Posture)
 Musculoskeletal
disorders, including
sprains and strains
Hot or Cold Weather
Conditions
 Heat rashes, heat
cramps, heat stress,
dehydration, loss of
fine motor controls,
sunburn, numbness,
frostbite
Handling Soil/Potting Mixes
 Legionnaire’s disease
POSSIBLE SUPERVISOR
ACTION TO PREVENT
INJURY/ILLNESS
 Provide necessary
safety precautions
 Place appropriate
safety signs
 Require appropriate
PPE
 Provide eye and
respiratory
protection
 Use least hazardous
product for the task
 Dispense and mix
chemicals in well
ventilated areas
 Store and label
chemicals
appropriately
 Ensure the
availability of the
first aid kit
 Provide emergency
eyewash
 Provide appropriate
PPE
 Clean up spills
immediately
 Provide mechanical
aids
 Provide training in
safe manual
handling techniques
 Encourage team lifts
 Provide regular rest
break
 Provide shade
 Re-schedule work if
weather is
extremely
unfavourable
 Assess work hours in
difficult conditions
 Provide sufficient
water during hot
weather
 Wear appropriate
PPE
 Minimize dust
 Provide appropriate
clothing and PPE
 Observe proper
hygiene
PREVENTIVE ACTION
STUDENTS CAN TAKE
 Observe Safety
Precautions
 Observe Safety
Signs
 Wear PPE
 Wear eye and
respiratory
protection
 Use PPE
 Follow safe working
procedures when
handling chemicals
 Clean up spills
immediately
 Use mechanical aids
 Seek help when you
think a team lift is
required
 Exercise before
starting the work
 Be aware of
potential hazards
during hot or cold
weather conditions
that cause illness.
Rest and seek
assistance if you
feel that heat or
coldness affect you.
 Wear appropriate
clothing and take
regular rest
 Follow proper
hygiene
 Wear appropriate
PPE