Fruit growers urged to consider links between safety and efficiency

The organisation says growers across the FGV network have seen improvements in operational efficiency after implementing safety measures on-farm.

Growers have implemented practices like daily safety meetings, to larger investments in new machinery and equipment, to improve the safety of everyone on-site and improve operational processes.

Plunkett Orchards, Ardmona, owner Andrew Plunkett said whilst the company invested a lot of money in new technology to modernise their operations, it was often the most basic changes that kept everyone safe.

"We have inductions for all staff which is probably the most important thing we're constantly working to improve," Mr Plunkett said.

"It's important that we continually update these inductions to make sure we have everything covered, from wearing a seatbelt on a forklift to making sure everyone is wearing helmets when they need them.

RELATED READING

"It's standard stuff, but it's always these basic things you haven't thought about that catch you out."

The Plunketts have also modernised their packing shed, working to minimise the amount of people inside, reducing noise and improving the layout of operations.

Simple changes, including well-marked pedestrian crossings and thinking about how people could move around the orchard more safely had also had a major impact on efficiency.

Other operators are finding small changes were having big payoffs in their workflow.

J.K Anderson & Sons Orchards, Ardmona, owner Jake Anderson, said consistent training, and refreshing it, was a must if you're going to keep everyone safe.

"You need to treat everyone like they have never used machinery and equipment before and you can't cut corners - you can never assume a new worker knows what they're doing until you show them," Mr Anderson said.

"On a picker's first day we work on their skills individually because we know it takes at least one full season for someone to understand the basics and feel comfortable with their work.

He said the company teamed up its pickers in the afternoons to help some of the newer staff as the day went on.

"We also make sure our experienced workers are given refreshers because even the most experienced pickers might have gaps in their knowledge."

Mr Anderson said the company also understood the importance of updating equipment.

Moving from heavy steel ladders to light aluminium ones, with more stable frames, had improved both the confidence in pickers and confidence that staff were safer.

J.K Anderson & Sons introduced a new computer system to improve efficiency in chemical outputs and improved safety for pickers at the same time.

The system identifies the type, amount, time and location of chemical usage across the orchard.

This helps orchard staff identify recently sprayed sections and direct pickers to safer areas with a low risk of harm from airborne chemical exposure.

Fruit Growers Victoria chair Mitchell McNab said no matter the size of the farm, any improvements helped keep everyone safe.

"To improve safety, you don't have to be investing in the latest technology or packaging systems - safety doesn't have to break the bank," Mr McNab said.

Smaller-scale changes to the picking and packing processes could have just as much of an impact on operations as buying the most advanced tractors or picking platforms.

Fruit Growers Victoria has partnered with WorkSafe Victoria to highlight that safety and efficiency often went hand-in-hand, and to encourage farms of all sizes to make even small changes to improve safety for everyone on-farm.

"While farmers can be challenged with events outside of their control, like the weather, safety is one area you can plan for," WorkSafe Health and Safety executive director Narelle Beer said.

"Putting safety planning first will not only keep yourself, your workers and your loved ones safe, but will also help you get through the busy times more efficiently and with less stress," Ms Beer said.

Victorian farmers can find safety support for their operation and more farmer stories at worksafe.vic.gov.au/agriculture

Sign up here to Good Fruit and Vegetables weekly newsletter for all the latest horticulture news each Thursday...