Farming and Harvesting Back Safety Inspection

1. Are workers using safe lifting techniques when performing manual lifts?

2. Are workers lifting bags, boxes, or other objects that are less than 50 pounds?

3. Are workers avoiding twisting and turning while they perform their job tasks?

4. Do containers have handles to ensure an easy hold while lifting and carrying?

5. Are workers using dollies, lifting tools, pallet trucks, or other forms of mechanical lifts when products are either heavier than 50 lbs. or awkward to lift and carry?

6. While workers are performing stooped work are they using stools and/or long handled tools?

7. While workers are performing stooped work and redesigning the job is not an option, are workers provided job rotation that requires walking or sitting?

8. Are workers provided adjustable workstations to individual workers, such as weeding stands or packing stands?

9. Are harvest carts available and utilized by workers when stooping or kneeling is required?

10. Instead of using baskets or crates that are awkward to carry, are workers using standard containers that can be stacked and have handles or lipped edges that allow easy handling?

11. Are harvesters of berries and grapes using smaller containers in order to avoid heavy lifting?

12. Are employees taking necessary micro-breaks and performing light stretches throughout the day?