Hlc train for work agriculture 2012

HLC Train For Work

Horticulture & Farming Training 2012
1
Author Joe Hall @2012 HLC

Working in Agriculture or Farming can be
extremely rewarding but one thing’s for sure…

It’s hard work!

As agriculture or farm workers you will have to
contend with the typical extreme conditions of
the ever changing NZ weather.

It’s important to understand the different
seasons and how they may affect the conditions
of the work you undertake and how you carry
this work out!

Introduction 2

Weather for a typical year on a farm looks
something like this…

Sometimes we get all four seasons in one day!
3

Usually the wettest season. It can also be very cold
with frost, snow and ice. Temperatures normally
range from 5-15 °C (41-59 °F) during the day. Cold
winds can make it feel much colder. In the middle of
winter there are only 9 – 10 hours of sunlight a day

Winter: June-Aug 4

The temperatures start getting warmer and the
grass starts to grow fast. There is still plenty
of rain. Although the mornings can still be cold,
the days can get quite warm.

Spring: Sept-Nov 5

It gets warmer - from 20-30 °C (68-86 °F) in the day.
It normally rains less. The sun can be very strong and
can make your skin burn within l0 minutes. The sun is
hottest between 11am and 4pm. In mid summer there is
15 – 16 hours of sunlight in the day.

Summer: Dec-Feb 6

Temperatures start to get cooler and there is
plenty of rain. Although the mornings can still
be cold, the days can get quite warm.

Autumn: Mar-May 7

Agricultural and Farming
work is varied and  Dairy
intensive. It is often  Cattle
seasonal but can also be
year round with short  Sheep
breaks between produce  Pig, Deer & Goat
farmed.  Bees
 Poultry
Areas of work that are  Vegetable & Fruit
commonly associated  Vineyard
with Agriculture and  Crop
Farming are:

What type of work is it? 8

PPE stands for:

Personal Protection Equipment

This is needed for almost all roles within all
types of employment. PPE helps us to remain
safe and healthy while we carry out our daily
tasks. Without it, carrying out these tasks could
carry an increased risk of personal injury.

PPE 9

When selecting PPE, remember, it needs to be:

Effective and give adequate protection against
the hazards in the workplace;

Suitable and match the wearer, the task and the
working environment so as not to get in the way
of the job being done or cause any discomfort;

Safe against the introduction of any additional
risks, eg limits visibility;

Agricultural & Farming PPE 10

Footwear
Protective Clothing
Summer wear
Wet weather wear
Hand wear
Headwear

The Basics 11

Footwear is perhaps the most important piece of
PPE that you can have. It needs to be well
fitting, breathable, warm, supporting, non-slip
and have a protective toecap (Non steel for very
cold areas). It also needs to be flexible enough
to allow you to perform your tasks.

Footwear 12

Socks should be warm, supportive, breathable
and long. You will be standing on your feet for
long periods of time!

Socks 13

It is extremely important that in wet weather
you have protective clothing to keep you dry.
You are working in the outdoors for lengthy
periods of time and rain, hale and even snow are
possible. This combined with wind can cause
discomfort, tiredness and possible hypothermia.

Wet Weather Clothes 14

In cold and windy weather, thermal
underclothing will really help. Remember, you can
always remove layers if you get too hot!

Thermals 15

Headwear is extremely important as it can
prevent ear ache from cold as well as heat
stroke from the sun among numerous other
potential ailments.
Headwear should be appropriate to the weather
conditions and where possible cover the back of
the neck to prevent sunburn and heat loss.

Headwear 16

Gloves are needed to prevent damage to the
hands. Your hands are your primary tool in
agriculture and farming!

Gloves 17

The Sun 18

Too much sun can be dangerous
Being outdoors on a warm, sunny day can make you feel good.
Repeated exposure to the sun day after day, year after year
also increases your risk of the following problems occurring!
– Aging, wrinkling or drying out of the skin
– Skin cancer, which can develop from repeated exposure to
the sun over the years
– Lip cancer
– Damage to the eyes
Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can harm
you, even if you have dark hair and dark skin.
You can also get sunburned on a cloudy day – not just when
the sun is bright.

Sun Protection 19

Precautions you can take

• Limit the time you spend in the sun
• Use any shaded areas available to take breaks
• Use sunscreen lotion on your exposed areas
• Use a SPF 15 or greater
• Apply Sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out
• Re-apply during the day at regular intervals
• Make sure headwear provides shade for your neck
• Wear sunglasses when possible

Precautions 20

How to recognize a problem

Regularly check your skin for any signs of damage from the
sun. Be sure to check your head, face, lips and the tips of
your ears.

Look for changes in the size, shape or colour of moles.

Specifically look for irregular borders (ragged, notched or
blurred edges), moles that aren’t symmetrical (one half
doesn’t match the other), colours that aren’t uniform
throughout, or moles that are bigger than a pencil eraser.

Signs of Problems 21

Also look for:
– Sores that bleed and don’t heal
– A change in sensation in a mole, such as itchiness or
pain
– Red patches or lumps, including small bumps on the
head
– New moles

Any of these might be an indication of skin cancer.
Skin cancer can be treated if it is caught early. If
you spot a problem, see a health professional. Report
the problem to your supervisor if you don’t have
access to a doctor.

Signs of Problems 22

DO:
• Wear a hat in the sun that protects your ears, face
and the back of your neck.
• Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15
or greater.
• Regularly check your skin for red patches, lumps, or
changes in the size, shape or colour of moles.

DON’T:
• Think that a suntan is a sign of good health.
• Forget to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from
the sun.

DO’S AND DON’TS 23

The Rain 24

Cold weather can be dangerous
For many of us, winter is a welcome escape from working
outdoors in hot, humid weather but cold winter weather
presents some serious risks. Among them are:
– Frostbite, or the freezing of body parts exposed to the
cold. Frostbite can be mild or it can be severe, resulting
in the destruction of body tissue. Your nose, cheeks,
ears, toes and fingers are at most risk.
– Hypothermia, or the loss of body heat due to prolonged
exposure to the cold. Hypothermia is a life-threatening
condition. You are more likely to rapidly lose body heat
when your clothes are wet.

Rain Protection 25

Wear the proper clothing.
One of the best ways to prevent cold-related injuries is to
wear the right clothing outdoors.
• It’s better to wear several layers of clothing than a single
heavy coat or jacket. If possible, wear a thin layer next to
your skin such as polyester or polypropylene. This will help
keep the heat close to your body. Wear this under a warm
layer of clothing such as wool under an outer jacket that
repels water and cuts the wind.
• You should also wear a warm hat that covers your ears,
gloves or mittens, dry socks, and dry shoes or boots that
protect your feet against cold and dampness.
• A scarf or ski mask will also help protect your face.

Precautions
26

It’s important that you know what to do to reduce your
risk of cold-related injuries.
1. Always dress properly for cold weather. Put on warm
clothes before you go outside. Carry extra dry clothing if
you’re likely to get wet.
2. Keep your skin dry. Wet skin freezes quicker.
3. Drink plenty of water to keep from getting dehydrated.
4. If possible, do some of your outdoor work during the
warmest part of the day.
5. Take adequate breaks from the cold. (Indoors)
6. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and other drinks with
caffeine. Smoking decreases circulation; alcohol increases
the rate at which your body cools.

Precautions
27

DO:
• Keep your energy level up when working outdoors in the
cold.
• Immediately seek shelter and call for emergency medical
help if you or a co-worker can’t stop shivering, begin
stumbling, or become confused or severely fatigued.

DON’T:
• Overestimate your ability to do strenuous work. Set a
reasonable pace for yourself.
• Work outdoors in the cold if you are physically exhausted
or in poor physical shape.
• Wear wet clothing outdoors in the cold.

DO’S AND DON’TS
28

Insect Bites & Stings 29

Be on the alert for insects

Summertime presents certain dangers, especially for
workers who spend most of their time outdoors.
Among these dangers are certain insects that bite or sting
including spiders, mosquitoes, ticks bees, wasps and
hornets.
You can reduce your risk of insect bites by wearing long-
sleeved shirts, long trousers and socks when you’re outside.
Insect repellents will also help.

Insect Bites & Stings 30

Thousands of people are stung by bees each year. In
most cases, a bee won’t sting you unless it is
provoked.
• If bees are nearby, avoid rapid movements. If a yellow
jacket, wasp or hornet lands on you, don’t slap it or swat
at it. Instead, try to blow or gently brush it away.

• If you are stung, remove the stinger from your skin as
quickly as possible. Don’t grasp the stinger with your
fingers or a tweezers. Instead, gently scrape the area
with your fingernail or try to remove the stinger by
scraping with the edge of a knife.

Bee Stings 31

• Some people are severely allergic to bee stings, which
can be life-threatening or even fatal.

• Immediately contact local emergency medical services if
you or a co-worker are stung and break out in hives, have
trouble breathing, become dizzy, vomit, get stomach
cramps or diarrhoea, or have any other severe reaction.

• If you have had a severe reaction to an insect sting in
the past, immediately notify your supervisor and seek
medical attention.

32

Mosquito & Spider Bites 33

Bites from mosquitoes and most spiders generally don’t
cause serious harm, unless you’re allergic to spider venom.

Avoid scratching bites. Instead, wash the area with soap
and water and apply a cold pack if needed to reduce
swelling. Ointments such as calamine lotion will also help
reduce the itchiness.

Immediately contact our local emergency medical services
if you or a co-worker show signs of a severe reaction to a
bite.

One particular spider to watch out for is the white tail.
This can cause significant injury and will always need to be
assessed by a doctor! 34

Tick Bites 35

Ticks are small insects that feed on a person’s blood. Tick
bites are painless, so a tick may remain imbedded in your
skin for days unnoticed.

The best way to remove a tick is to use a small tweezers to
grasp it where its mouthparts enter the skin. Tug gently but
firmly until it releases its hold on your skin. If you can’t get
it out or if its mouthparts remain in your skin, seek medical
care. Wash the bite area with soap and water. 36

Some deer ticks carry Lyme disease, which can be very
serious if untreated. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long
pants with the cuffs tucked into your socks, and a hat
when you’re in these areas. Insect repellents may also
help.

If you have been bitten by a tick and show any of the
following symptoms, be sure to see a doctor: a rash or
red patch, especially one that slowly expands over several
days; fatigue; a mild headache; pain and stiffness in your
muscles and joints; a slight fever; or swollen glands 37

• Avoid bright-coloured or floral print clothing, perfume,
hair spray, floral-scented shampoos, soaps and
deodorants.
• Pay close attention to open soda containers and glasses.
• Keep trash containers closed, and clean up after eating
outdoors.
• Apply a cold pack to reduce discomfort if you have
been bitten or stung

Extra Tips! 38

DO:
• Check for stinging insects near flowering plants, trash
cans and outdoor eating areas.
• Run away if you are attacked by several stinging insects at
the same time. Try to get indoors.
• Immediately seek medical help if you have a severe
reaction.
DON’T:
• Leave a co-worker who has been stung alone. The person
could have an allergic reaction.
• Walk barefoot outdoors.
• Leave a stinger in your skin.

DO’S AND DON’TS
39

Basic Field Sanitation 40

Most of us in agriculture and horticulture like working
outdoors. We like the fresh air, the sunshine, and the wide
open space.

But agricultural work can be very dirty. Our hands are
constantly in the dirt and soil, the wind may blow debris
from some distance away, and many of us work in areas
where pesticides have been applied.

In addition, working around agricultural machinery such as
tractors, combines, forklifts, or the moving parts of
equipment inside a packing shed can result in grease, oil,
and other substances getting on our faces and hands.

Dirty Work!
41

Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. This will
help keep you from getting sick, and from spreading germs
to your co-workers.
Regular hand washing is also important to prevent skin
rashes, especially if you’re working in a greenhouse or in
another hot, humid environment.
Most employers provide washing facilities for employees.
These include clean water, soap, and paper towels.
It’s very important to wash your hands before you eat,
drink, chew gum, or smoke tobacco, and before and after
you use the toilet.

Clean Hands 42

Portable toilets are normally provided that you can walk to
from your work site.

We encourage you to use the toilet facilities we provide as
frequently as you need to.

Urinating in the field, on plants, or anywhere else other
than in the facilities we provide is an unhealthy practice.

After you are done using the toilet, be sure it is in clean
condition. And remember to wash your hands.

Toilet Facilities 43

Working in areas where pesticides or other chemicals have
been applied requires even greater attention to good
sanitation practices.

It’s critical that you wear gloves and any other personal
protective equipment we provide so pesticide residues do
not get on your skin.

Wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, hat or cap, and
shoes and socks will help protect your body from pesticide
residues.

Pesticide Treated Areas 44

If you work in areas where pesticides have been applied, be
sure to wash your hands and your face before you eat,
drink, chew gum, smoke, put on makeup, or use the toilet.

At the end of each day, wash your whole body with soap and
water, shampoo your hair, and change into clean clothes. •
Remember not to eat, smoke, or keep food exposed in an
area where chemicals are being applied.

Immediately tell a supervisor and thoroughly wash your skin
with soap and clean water if pesticides are accidentally
spilled or sprayed on your body

Pesticide Treated Areas 45

DO:
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water to prevent
skin rashes and to prevent germs from spreading.
• Drink a sufficient amount of water, especially on hot
days, so you don’t get sick.
• Use the toilet facilities we provide as frequently as
necessary.
DON’T:
• Hesitate to tell your supervisor if you become dizzy or ill
at work or develop a rash. You may need to see a doctor.
• Let your skin touch plants, the outside of protective
clothing, or anything that may have pesticide residues on it.

DO’S AND DON’TS
46

Being Safe with Machinery 47

The machinery we use in our operation makes it easier to
get our jobs done, but it can also be very dangerous.
Moving parts are especially hazardous, because a finger,
hand, arm, your hair or a loose piece of clothing can get
caught by a moving part before you even know it.
This is why you’ll see warning signs and ―guards‖ on various
parts of the machinery we use. The guards are designed to
keep you away from danger areas.
Unfortunately, not all hazardous parts can be guarded.
Because of this, it’s important for you to be extremely
careful when working around agricultural machinery.

Hazardous Stuff! 48

Any number of injuries can result from working around
agricultural machinery. These include the loss of fingers, a
hand, an arm or feet; entanglement in a rotating shaft;
blindness or other eye injuries from flying sparks or
fragments of material; or crushed limbs

How Workers are Injured 49

These injuries and others occur for many reasons,
including:
— workers operate machinery when overtired or ill
— operators take shortcuts (such as bypass starting a
tractor, driving too fast, or jumping on or off)
— improper clothing is worn (such as loose clothing, a
sweatshirt with drawstrings, or jewellery around a PTO
shaft)

How Workers are Injured
50

— workers operate equipment under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs
— machinery is not completely shut off and isolated
from its energy sources before it is cleaned, serviced or
repaired
— safety decals or guards are worn, damaged or
removed — personal protective equipment (such as
safety glasses, hearing protection or gloves) is not used

51

It’s important that you pay close attention to any warning
signs or stickers you see on the machinery we use. Often,
these will include the word ―Danger‖ or ―Warning.‖ If you are
unable to read these stickers or signs, ask a co-worker or
your supervisor for help. Never operate machinery without
knowing what the warning signs say.

Never remove or bypass a safety guard. If a guard is
damaged or missing, report it right away and don’t operate
the machine.

Guards & Warning Signs 52

Guards, or barriers are placed between you and the
danger areas and are there for your protection. Among
the places where you may find guards are:

— on rotating parts (such as PTO shafts)
— on parts of the machinery that could snag your
clothing (such as universal joints or fastening devices)
— on parts of the machinery that transmit power to the
sections doing the work (such as flywheels, pulleys,
belts, chains and gears)
— on the part of the machinery where the work is being
performed (such as blades that do the cutting)

Where to find them? 53

Stay a safe distance away from all moving parts of
machinery. • Be sure you have read and understood the
operator’s manual before operating agricultural machinery.
See your supervisor if you need help.

• Always wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) that
we require.

• Dress appropriately. Don’t wear jewellery or loose-fitting
clothing. If you have long hair, be sure it is tied back and
tucked in.

Safety Tips 54

• Inspect the machinery before turning it on. If you spot a
problem, notify your supervisor. Don’t operate defective
machinery.
• Always lock and block such equipment as combines,
tractors or forklifts before getting under them, cleaning
them or repairing them.

• Never try to unjam such machines as pot filling machines
or feed grinders while they are still running.
• Don’t work on machine parts such as flywheels until they
have completely stopped.

Safety Tips 55

DO:
• Be careful to avoid hitching accidents (―crush point‖).
• Keep all equipment clean and in good repair.
• Immediately turn off the machinery if you think it is not
working properly. Notify your supervisor of the problem.

DON’T
• Touch any part of a machine until all of the parts have
stopped rotating or otherwise moving.
• Wear jewellery, loose clothing , drawstrings, or long hair
that isn’t tied back around agricultural machinery.
• Ever bypass or remove safety guards. :

DO’S AND DON’TS
56

Lifting Safety 57

As you are aware, back injuries can be very painful.
One cause of serious back injuries is improper lifting.
Each pound of weight you lift puts close to 71/2 pounds of
pressure on your lower back.
Here are some examples of improper lifting:

Bending from the waist to pick up an object

Preventing Bad Backs 58

Twisting your body while you’re lifting or
carrying an object

Lifting an object higher than chest high
59

Lifting when you’re in poor physical shape 60

Stand close to the object. Size it up. Check for sharp
edges, nails and other hazards. See if you think you can lift
it by yourself. If not, ask for help.
Get a firm footing. Part your feet to give you good
balance. Then put one foot slightly in front of the other.
Also, check your shoes to make sure they provide good
traction and that your shoelaces are tied.
Straighten your back. Then bend your knees — but don’t
bend from the waist.
Get a good grip. Use both hands. Grip gloves are very
helpful.

Proper Technique 61

Lift with your legs, not
with your back.
Plan ahead where you’re
going to set the object
down. Then carry it to its
new location, keeping it
close to your body. Don’t
bounce it around.
Bend your knees to set
the object down. Again,
don’t bend from the waist.
And be sure to keep your
back straight.
62

An alternate way to lift odd-sized, lightweight objects is to
carefully lift the object up to your shoulder and support it
on your shoulder while you move it. If the object is long,
keep the front end higher than the rear, and never block
your field of vision.
Before you pick up the load, be sure you:
— Establish a wide base of support. Do this by parting your
feet. Put one foot slightly in front of you and the other
slightly in back.
— Straighten your back. Then squat down to pick up the
load, keeping your back straight. You’ll know you have a good
base of support if your front foot heel remains on the
ground or floor.

Lifting Awkward Loads
63

DO
• Get a firm footing and a good grip.
• Wear shoes with good traction.
• Lift objects only chest high.
• Take your time.
• Ask for help if you need it
DON’T
• Bend from the waist.
• Lift objects higher than chest high.
• Reach below your feet to pick up an object.
• Twist your body while you’re lifting.
• Lift an object you can’t handle alone.

DO’S AND DON’TS
64

Basic First Aid
65

In the event of an accident act calmly but quickly:
1. Act quickly when a person has been injured.

2. Call the emergency medical services for help if the
situation appears serious.

3. Stay calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse.

4. Don’t move an injured person unless he is in immediate
additional danger.

5. Know where our emergency first aid kits are kept.

First Aid – First Steps 66

• Make sure that the area is
safe to work in and free
from potential hazards
• Secure the area where
possible to prevent further
injury to yourself and
others
• Organise others to assist
when needed. You don’t have
to do everything alone!
• Think before you act –
DON’T PANIC

Protect Yourself
67

• Avoid direct contact with an injured person’s blood or
other body fluids.
• Wear clean, disposable gloves such as latex gloves or place
a barrier such as a clean cloth, towel or shirt between
yourself and the injured person’s blood.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before
administering first aid and when you are done.
• Cover any scrapes or cuts on your hands with bandages or
gloves.
• Notify your supervisor and get a doctor’s advice if you are
exposed to another person’s blood.

Protect yourself from disease 68

If the person is cut and the bleeding is minor, clean the
wound with soap and water. Use gauze – not cotton – for
cleaning. Then bandage the cut with a bandage or gauze and
tape.
For severe bleeding, follow these steps:
1. Call for professional medical help as soon as possible.
2. Cover the wound with a gauze pad and press down firmly.
3. Unless you suspect broken bones, elevate the injured area
above the level of the person’s heart while applying pressure.
4. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, apply pressure to a nearby
artery. In the arm, this is inside the upper arm between the
shoulder and elbow. In the leg, it’s on the crease at the front
of the hip in the groin area.

Co-worker is bleeding
69

Don’t move the person unless he is in immediate additional
danger.

Call the emergency medical services as soon as possible.

Keep the injured limb immobilized. One way to do this is to
place a small pillow or folded blanket between the injured
limb and the ground.
Warning: Immediately call the emergency medical
services for injuries to the head, neck or back. Do not
move a person with these types of injuries unless he is in
immediate additional danger.

Fractures & Broken Bones 70

Serious accidents such as becoming entangled in a tractor
PTO may result in the loss of an arm, leg or other body
part.

Follow these steps in such situations:
1. Turn off the power if you can do so safely.
2. Call the emergency medical services for help and
administer CPR if the person isn’t breathing and you know
how to perform CPR.
3. Take steps to stop any external bleeding.
4. Wrap the severed body part in sterile gauze or a clean
cloth. Place it in a plastic bag. Put the plastic bag inside a
bag of ice and take it to the hospital with the victim.

Severed Limbs 71

DO:

• Know who to call for immediate emergency medical
assistance.
• Stay calm when administering first aid.
• Know what is in our first aid kits.

DON’T:

• Touch objects that may be soiled with an injured person’s
blood.
• Eat, drink or touch your nose, mouth or eyes when giving
first aid.


Drugs & Alcohol 73

Substance abuse – or the abuse of alcohol or other drugs –
can result in serious problems, both at work and at home.

Among those problems are:

– impaired judgment, and the inability to follow safety
instructions, both of which may result in accidents or
injuries – reduced concentration, leading to poor job
performance
– loss of coordination, resulting in falls or other injuries
– health problems, ranging from such short-term effects as
headaches to long-term, severe health problems or even
death

Substance abuse hurts 74

Substance abuse often leads to family problems, including
divorce, and could even cause you to lose your job.

It can also lead to arguments with co-workers or
supervisors, illegal activities such as theft to support a drug
habit, or other violent behaviours.

If you suspect that anyone here may have a substance
abuse problem, there are resources in the community that
you can call for help. 75

Employers don’t allow the use of alcohol or other drugs at
work, while on work assignments or during breaks.

Employers don’t allow employees to come to work under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Employers prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of
illegal drugs anywhere on their property.

Employers don’t allow alcohol or other drugs to be stored on
their property – including in lockers or personal cars or work
vehicles.

Workplace Policies 76

Anyone can have a substance abuse problem – a co-worker,
supervisor, manager, vendor, customer, spouse, child or
friend.

Substance abuse can be treated. One of the major
problems, though, is that substance abusers often deny
they have a problem. This results in a delay in getting help –
or not getting help at all.

The Warning Signs 77

Here are some signs that may indicate you or a co-worker
has a substance abuse problem:

– frequently missing work or other appointments
– noticeable changes in job performance
– drinking alcohol in the morning
– feeling you need to take a drink or other drugs just to get
through the day
– regularly being late for work or leaving early
– being short of money because it has been spent on alcohol
or other drugs
– needing more alcohol or other drugs than you did in the
past in order to feel OK
– not caring about your appearance or cleanliness
– suddenly being very moody or short-tempered 78

Professional help is available to people with substance
abuse problems.
Help is also available through such support groups as
Alcoholics Anonymous. Check the Yellow Pages of the
telephone book under ―Alcoholism‖ or ―Drug Abuse.‖
It’s important to talk to your supervisor or another
manager if you suspect you or someone else at work has a
substance abuse problem.
Getting help could save that person’s life.

Help 79

DO:
• Be honest with yourself if you think you may have a
• Become familiar with the warning signs of possible
substance abuse.
• Seek help if you think you or a co-worker may have a
DON’T:
• Drink alcohol or use illegal drugs on the job, while on a
work assignment, or during a work break.
• Come to work drunk or under the influence of drugs.
• Hesitate to contact resources in the community about a
possible substance abuse problem.

DO’S AND DON’TS
80

Working In A Vineyard 81

Number one tool!
Secateurs
• Must be kept clean, sharp
& in good working
condition
• Must be kept in an apron
or sheath and closed when
not using them
• Take care when others
are working in close
proximity. They’re sharp!

Vineyard Safety Practices 82

• Do not hang your secateurs on vines, clothing, machinery
or wires

• Do not leave your secateurs on the ground

• Do not point your secateurs at people or animals

They’re not toys!

• Do not use electric secateurs without specialist training
83

Tractors are extensively used
in vineyards and other
agricultural practices. They
can be extremely complex
machines and are operated by
workers who have undergone
special training. All workers
need to be aware of the many
dangers of working around
tractors and how to limit the
risk of injuries.

Tractors 84

There are a vast number of farm accidents involving
tractors and other farm machinery every year. Some are
fatal but the majority cause minor injuries requiring time
off from work.
Most tractor accidents involve rollovers or are caused by
incorrect operation, excessive speed or drivers not looking!
All tractor drivers, workers and other persons must be
careful when working with tractors on hilly or uneven
terrain

85

Fortunately, most modern tractors have a Roll Over
Protection or ROP System. This is a single overhead bar or
a cage structure and a seatbelt to stop the driver from
falling out.
Passengers are not permitted to ride on tractors which do
not have official seating capacity for them. To do so is to
invite accidents to happen.

Protection 86

Most commonly, it is a splined
driveshaft on a tractor or truck
designed so that a PTO shaft, a
kind of drive shaft, can be
easily connected and
disconnected. The power take-
off allows implements to draw
energy from the engine.
Many accidents are caused when
people get caught up in a PTO.
Always check before
approaching a vehicle that no
PTO is attached or running.

Power Take Off - PTO 87

• A PTO must be covered
by a safety cover
• The safety cover must not
spin
• Never step over a spinning
PTO
• PTO – Power Take Off • The PTO can kill, quickly
• PTO drives working
implements including tillers,
sprayers etc
• When engaged, spins at
540rpm – almost 10x per
second
• 20-80 horsepower typical in
vineyard tractors 88

DO
• Take adequate precaution when working around tractors
• Make sure that PTO’s have guards
• Not approach PTO’s when they are spinning
• Not sit on tractors unless there are seats & seatbelts
available
• Pay extra visual attention when operating a vehicle

DON’T
• Speed or take unnecessary risks with tractors
• Fail to check your PTO attachments before using them
• FORGET – TRACTORS CAN KILL YOU


Buds, Nodes & Shoots 90

Pruning takes place while the vines lie dormant in the
winter. Pruning allows the grower to focus the growth of
the new vines where they want it and also determines how
much fruit a vine will have. As all vineyards grow different
grapes, have different soils and fertility and often
different climates it is important to decide the correct
way to carry out the pruning. Pruning is also one of the
most important operations carried out in any vineyard and
requires time and manpower to complete the job.

91

Pruning time gives the opportunity to:
Regulate the form and size of the vine.
Regulate the vigour of the vine: A vine's
natural tendency to sprout forth leaves.

Regulate the quantity (yield) and quality
of the grapes: Total production of grapes
from a vine or vineyard but sometimes
also from a region as a whole. Yield is
related to vine vigour and in most cases
indicates the quality of the grapes, with
extraordinarily high yield often
associated with low quality.
92

The grape starts its annual growth cycle in the spring with
bud break. In the Southern Hemisphere it begins around
September when daily temperatures rise above 10 C (50 F).

If the vine had been pruned during the winter, the start of
this cycle is signalled by a "bleeding" of the vine.

Tiny buds (found on the nodes of grapevine shoots) on the
vine start to swell and eventually shoots begin to grow from
the buds. Buds are the small part of the vine that rest
between the vine's stem and the petiole (leaf stem). Inside
the buds contain usually three] shoots.

The Bud Break 93

The Bud 94

Internodes

The Internode 95

A cross section of a dormant bud. The three buds
within the compound bud can be seen.

Inside the Node 96

The shoot consists of stems, leaves,
tendrils, and fruit and is the primary
unit of vine growth and the principal
focus of many vineyard management
practices.
Each compound bud can potentially
produce more than one shoot.
As well as producing fruit for this
season the shoot develops the buds
for next seasons growth
Later on the shoots harden, turn
brown and become canes

Shoots 97

Suckering is the removal of
shoots that arise from the
crown of the vine at ground
level or from the roots.
Suckers rob the vine of it's
vigour. These are also known
as water-shoots as they rob
precious moisture from the
shoots that you want to
develop fruit. If left to grow,
not only do they rob your vine,
but they will harden off into
fruitless bull shoots.

Water shoots 98

80 to 90 % of the one-year-old wood is removed from
vines at dormant pruning. Before pruning mature
grapevines, the vineyard foreman must decide how many
nodes to retain. Over cropping and excessive canopy
density will occur if too many nodes are retained.
On the other hand, the crop will be needlessly reduced if
too few remain. Furthermore, severely pruned vines are
apt to produce excessively vigorous shoots because all of
the stored energy in the trunks and roots is available to
relatively few growing points.
Nodes, specifically count nodes, are the units counted in
the pruning formulas. Count nodes have clearly defined
internodes in both directions on the cane.
Count Nodes
99

Blind buds are nodes on spurs or canes from which there is
no bud development in spring The presence of blind buds
makes it difficult to prune to a given load of viable buds.

Blind Buds 100

When a cane, spur or cordon is
cut close to bud burst time
the cut 'bleeds'
Bleeding is due to increased
sap flow within the vine, which
brings carbohydrate from the
roots and trunks
It can also bleed early on in
the pruning season if it rains
heavily followed by warm
weather

Bleeding of Canes 101

• Nodes contain buds
• The main bud bursts to become a shoot
• The new shoot produces flowers which become the fruit
• At the same time the new buds are forming in the shoot
• Shoots become canes when they turn brown
• Only canes that come from deliberately left buds are
used for pruning which are found on count nodes
• Pruning is a matter of leaving count nodes, these are the
nodes that you deliberately leave at pruning.
• Count nodes are always from wood (canes) that grew in
the last season
• Canes come from count nodes from the previous season
• They are not from water shoots!

Summary 102

Cane & Spur Pruning 103

The most important job in the vineyard during winter is
pruning. This is done after leaf fall but before budburst
when the vines are dormant and there is virtually no sugar
transfer from shoots to roots.

The vine has to be maintained in a workable shape that will
facilitate vineyard management practices such as spraying
and harvesting.

Pruning also achieves a balance between growth and
sunshine by leaving enough leaves to ripen the fruit
produced in a canopy without too much shade and too much
sunshine.

A Big Job - Pruning 104

Grapevines are pruned in winter
by cutting away most of the vine
that is not required for the next
season’s growth. Cane pruning is
the most common method in New
Zealand. The pruner selects two
or four shoots (canes) from the
previous season and trains them
along the trellis wires. The other
canes are removed, and new
shoots sprout from the buds on
the selected canes in spring.

Cane Pruning 105

Spur pruning is done on vines that
retain one or two pairs of long canes
(a permanent cordon) trained along a
trellis system. Each winter, new
canes that have grown along the
permanent cordon are cut back to a
small shoot containing two buds,
known as a spur. In spring new
growth develops from the buds on
the spur.

Spur Pruning 106

This is done by regulating the
number of buds left on the
mature one year old shoots
(now called canes) during the
pruning process and the spacing
of those canes. The new shoots
and their bunches, usually two,
come from these buds.

107

Cordon with Last Season's Canes
A cordon is a permanent vine arm
either bi or unilaterally formed
off the trunk during the original
training process early in the
vineyard’s development. On this
arm, spaced about a hand’s span
apart, are short permanent
fruiting units that have been built
up over the years by cutting back
the canes that form on them,
usually two.

Cordon/2 Cane 108

Last Season's Canes
During the pruning process the
highest cane of the two is
completely removed and the
lowest one reduced to two buds
or a spur. All other extraneous
canes shooting from the arms and
trunk are also removed although
in some cases the former are
used to start new spurs when old
ones are not positioned correctly,
are too high on the cordon or
With Highest Canes have become damaged.

Last Seasons Canes 109

Spur pruning is easy, quick
and economical and caters
to the growth
characteristics of most
varieties except those
whose basal buds exhibit
low fruitfulness.

Cane Removed 110

Spurred to
Two Buds

Lowest Cane 111

Finished Spur Pruned Vine 112

The vines have no permanent
cordons, only one (unilateral)
or two (bilateral) one year old
canes laid along the fruiting
wire from the head of the vine
which forms on top of the
trunk. From these canes, new
shoots with fruit emerge
during the growing season.

Cane Vine before Pruning 113

During pruning, the two year old
canes and its canes are completely
removed. A new cane formed from
a two bud replacement spur left
on the head during the previous
year’s pruning is laid down on the
wire and cut back to the required
number of buds, usually 8-15,
depending on the vigour of the
vine. The lower cane on this spur
is reduced to two buds ready to
form a cane and another spur for
the following year.

Old Fruiting Cane Removed 114

Four-arm Kniffin
This is one of the most popular training systems for grapes.
It gives good production, requires little summer pruning.
The trellis consists of two wires. After the shoot reaches
the top of the trellis, the tip is cut off and tied to the cane
on the top wire.

4 Cane 115

Training System Advantages Disadvantages Reccomended
4 (or 6) Arm Kniffen Inexpensive to Poorly adapted to Not recommended
(Head/Cane or maintain due to lack mechanical harvest
Cordon/Spur) of shoot positioning Lower canopies can be
and lack of tying if shaded by upper
spur pruned canopy, resulting in
reduced node
fruitfulness and fruit
quality
Low Cordon Spurs allow for Cordon allows for Viniferous with
(Cordon/Spur) mechanical pruning or emergence of non- fruitful basal buds
reduced manual count shoots in
labour when pruning fruiting zone
No cane tying
required
High Wire Cordon Large trunk and Large trunk and Hybrid or native
(a.k.a. Top Wire cordon provide cordon more difficult cultivars where a low
Cordon, Hudson reservoir for to replace when winter cost of production is

Pro’s & Con’s of Training
River Umbrella) carbohydrate storage injury occurs. Large desired
(Cordon/Spur or Tying is minimized trunk and cordon
Cordon/Cane (if Renewal area not results in many sites 116
pruned to longer shaded. Allows for for emergence of non-
spurs)) mechanical pruning count shoots

In a Nutshell! 117

• Most fruit trees and vines require pruning to optimize
fruit production capacity, grape vines are no exception.

• Pruning the vines properly is the best way to make sure
that crops will produce more fruits for years to come.

• Growing and maintaining a grape vine is no small task; it
requires time and can be frustrating.

• Pruning is an important step to encourage new growth
and stop possible diseases that may hamper the growth
of your plants.

118

1. Pruning vines can help you control the size of your crops.
It also maintains the quality of grapes and helps keep the
growth of the vines manageable.

2. People who are experts at pruning grape vines have even
worked this out into an exact science by counting each bud
that grows on the branches.

3. You can start pruning your grape vines pretty much
anytime during warmer climates after leaf loss in the
autumn and before new buds grow in the spring. However,
during cold climates, its best to wait until mid-winter before
pruning your vines. This is done so the vines will not be
forced to grow too early and then get destroyed by the late
frost. 119

4. Pruning the grape vines starts by finding the thickest or
strongest stem on the grape vine. This will serve as its main
trunk. Trim all other stems that grow at the base of the
trunk.

5. Pruning grape vines on the second years' spring season
entails cutting all the side stems except for the two
strongest ones on the side of the main trunk. Also pinch the
top of the vine to force side growth.

6. Pruning the vines during the summer of the second year
entails cutting the top of the vines to induce fruit
production.

120

7. Pruning vines during the spring and summer of the third
year keeps the basic framework of the vines.

8. When pruning grape vines during the third winter, leave
twelve buds on each side of the trunk. These buds will
produce the fruits the next summer. Continue doing this
process each winter, making sure that there are always
twelve renewal buds on the stems to ensure fruit production
the following summer.

121

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