Vineyard safety practices

Vineyard Safety Practices

VIT 52

Spring 2007

Hand tool safety

• Pruning shears– Must be kept in good

working condition– Must be kept in an

apron or sheath– Use extreme care

when others are working in close proximity

Hand tool safety

– Do not use shears as a pointing device

– Do not hang shears on wires, vines or clothing

– Do not place shears on the ground

– Obtain additional training when using electric shears

Tractors in the Vineyard

• Vineyard tractors are an essential tool

• Tractors which are well maintained are reliable and safe

• Operators who are well trained are very safe

• Anyone working in the vineyard need to be aware of safety basics

Tractor Safety

• There are an estimated 800 fatal farm accidents involving tractors every year and more than 9,000 injuries.

• Over 50% of tractor accidents involve rollovers

• Operators and those nearby must be careful on uneven terrain

ROPS and Riders

• Most modern tractors have a Roll Over Protection System

• This system includes an overhead bar or cab, plus a seatbelt

• Never ride as a “passenger” on a tractor!

PTO Safety

• PTO – Power Take Off• PTO drives working

implements including tillers, sprayers, etc

• When engaged, spins at 540rpm – almost 10x per second

• 20-80 horsepower typical in vineyard tractors

PTO Safety

• PTO must be covered by a safety cover

• The safety cover must not spin

• Never step over a spinning PTO

• The PTO can kill, quickly

Implement Safety

• Tractor implements have fast moving and heavy parts

• Tractor operators often cannot hear others well

• Beware of tractors working nearby, as they may not be aware of you

First Aid

• First aid supplies should be available on site, for example in a vehicle at the vineyard

• Everyone working with or near equipment must know where to find first aid

• Use a mobile phone or radio, or visit remote coworkers to check on them at least every two hours

Questions

• Vineyard Equipment Safety Q&A

Conclusion

• Good vineyard equipment practices and proper training and care help assure a safe working environment

• If you are in doubt about equipment use or procedures, do not hesitate to ask for assistance!

Thanks!