A new DVD to help make getting potatoes from field to
fork safer has been sent to allBritish Potato
Council-registered growers andNAACmembers.
Safe Potato Handling, with optional
subtitles in Polish, Portuguese, Latvian and Lithuanian, has been
made by the BPC with support from the
HSE,
NFU and
Grimme UK.
Produced over eighteen months for the farm team involved with
in-field and in-store potato grading, the DVD integrates the
importance of health and safety with correct use of farm equipment
and preserving potato quality and increasing sold yield.
“A whole team approach to safety is vital,” said BPC supply
chain manager Phil Bradshaw.
“The practical advice was developed by consulting with farm
owners, managers, and operatives. The 20min presentation is an
ideal refresher to staff and a powerful training tool for new or
casual employees that re-enforces the basic messages in a visual
film format appropriate to farm workers, even if their first
language is not English. Non-English speakers can view the DVD with
subtitles and read the documentation in their native language.”
“Safety has advanced on machinery and equipment over the
years”
HSE inspector Tony Mitchell said: “Every year there are number
of serious incidents on farms and even deaths.
“The DVD sets out best practice principles in a simple format
that can be developed and adopted to the local circumstance. It
will be a valuable tool for managers and supervisors to raise
awareness amongst workers and help reduce the risk of accidents and
improving the efficiency of potato harvesting, which will benefit
their business.
“The people best placed to make the workplace safer are the
staff and managers who work in them.”
The DVD has sections for different levels of staff highlighting
specific responsibilities.
Supervisors can watch the film with their staff and a test can
be taken to check understanding. Personal details can be entered on
a printed certificate, signed and dated and securely filed as a
formal record.
“Safety has advanced on machinery and equipment over the years,”
said Barry Baker of Grimme UK.
“Very often the main operator has been shown how to use a
certain piece of equipment. But it is vital everyone who comes into
contact with specific machinery understands and is aware of the
risks and how the equipment should be operated and used safely.
“The DVD provides the solution and highlights the communication
that is required for the whole farm team during harvesting and
grading to ensure the operation is conducted safely.”
A library of printable advice sheets on the DVD, including a
daily check list for casual staff, supplements the film
footage.
Free copies can be obtained by
emailing publications@potato.org.uk or phoning 01685
782222.