Working at Night Checklist (particularly for wine grape harvesting)

Date Assessment Completed …………………….

Item Yes No Required Action Person Completion
Responsible Date
1. Have Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) been developed The employer, in consultation with the
for night work? (Identify hazards not easily seen at night e.g. workers, should prepare SOPs
overhead power lines, ditches, drains, obstacles, posts, grades.
This may include communication between the operator and
other workers)

2. Have workers been made aware of the hazards of night The specific requirements for working at
work? People need to be visible, lighting requirements need night need to be discussed with the workers.
explaining, fatigue is greater at night, wet weather gear, cold Survey the area for planned night work and
weather gear remove any obstacles during daylight

3. Is lighting adequate – for equipment & loading zones? Check lighting

4. Is the appropriate PPE available for the task being Ensure workers are correctly prepared for
undertaken? High visibility vests, ear plugs, safety glasses, the work they are to perform
hats

5. Have workers been advised about the need for rest and sleep Discuss with workers
on the day prior to night work? Establish a rest break before
night shift commences

6. Have workers been advised about the need to take breaks,
particularly in the early morning hours?
7. For cabined harvesters the operator needs to be listening for
unusual noises and a loud radio will make this difficult.
Workers should be advised to keep radio volumes low.
Symptoms of fatigue and methods of
minimising fatigue should be discussed with
workers. There should be agreement on the
breaks to be taken
Direct workers to keep radio volumes low.
Loud radios could also be a risk to operators