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Employers are responsible for the safety of their workers. Employees are responsible for understanding and following safe work procedures. These are the foundations of a safe and healthy workplace.
The seasonal nature of agriculture means that more and less workers are required at different times of the year. Your operation may have a mix of young inexperienced workers; workers who are experienced, but new to your operation; and returning seasonal workers who may encounter changes made to the operation during their absence.
Just as no two operations run the same way, no two workers have the same amount of experience or understanding, let alone familiarity with how you run your orchard or vineyard. That said all workers have the right to know about hazards specific to your workplace, to be involved in workplace health and safety activities, and to refuse unsafe work.
Examples of why young and new workers are injured include:
- Inexperience
- Lack of training, orientation, and supervision
- Lack of understanding of their workplace
- Lack of preparation for the workplace
- Exposure to more dangerous jobs
- Hesitancy to ask questions
Employers, managers and supervisors may conduct worker safety orientations and training multiple times in a year. No matter how many times, or the makeup of the workforce, it is the employer’s responsibility to educate workers about the company’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies, procedures and practices, and to train workers in the safest way to perform assigned tasks.
Including a variety of communication tools in your safety orientation and training will help address a range of learning styles and understanding among your workers. Videos, PowerPoint presentations or simple diagrams are easier for most individuals to understand.
Workers may not take in all of the information during one presentation. Providing handouts with additional resources, Tip Sheets, FAQs and making time for discussion and questions will help your employees absorb more information. The employer, manager or supervisors must also monitor and assess the employee’s ability to do the task properly and safely until they show competency.
Documenting the process is important. Doing so will ensure that you have covered all of the information. Provide a copy or checklist to each worker so that they can confirm they received the orientation and understand your operation’s OHS policies, procedures and practices, and that they have been trained in the safest way to perform assigned tasks.
Workers also have responsibilities. Workers must follow all safe work procedures and protocols. Every employee must be fit for work upon arrival at the worksite, and never work if impaired or fatigued. To keep themselves and other’s safe, workers must learn, and be alert to, health and safety hazards and report any identified hazard to their supervisor.
Orientation Book
Young workers – those under the age of twenty-five, and new workers - those new to a particular task, job, location, tool, piece of equipment or hazard, are more at risk of injury due to inexperience, inadequate training, orientation or lack of hazard awareness.
Take time to ensure that training and orientation is specific to the work and the work space. Supervise their activity until they become competent. Training and orientation is an ongoing process, especially if there is a change in job responsibilities, work location or equipment.
https://img.youtube.com/vi/zRXYMdox3iY/0.jpgImplementing an “open door” policy will help your workers feel more comfortable asking questions and sharing safety concerns.
AgSafe is the non-profit health and safety association for agricultural producers in British Columbia, providing on-site and online health and safety resources. AgSafe’s team of regional safety consultants and advisors provide workplace safety education and advice to help employers achieve long-term safety goals.
Employers in BC’s orchard and grape growing industries can access health and safety resources on AgSafeBC.ca or by calling toll free 1-877-533-1789.
New Workers Video
Additional Resources
AgSafe – Industry Resources
AgSafe – New Worker Orientation Video
WorkSafeBC - Tools for Training Young and New Workers