Tips for farming
This resource contains important information for your workplace. Keep the information handy.
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PPE required
- Hard hat
- Safety footwear
- High visibility vest
- Protective eye wear
- Hearing protection grade – (insert number)
- Dust mask/respirator
- Gloves
Avoid loose, floppy clothing - it is less likely to catch in machinery.
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Prevent fatigue
- Healthy foods provide energy to function and sleep well. Eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily
- Alcohol negatively influences quality of sleep, wait till days off to drink alcohol
- Caffeine is a stimulant and only good for short term use
- If you're tired, only sleep can improve your concentration
- Avoid caffeine for at least three hours before trying to sleep.
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Environmental issues
- Heat/sun/cold
- Other machinery
- Speed limits
- Cellphone coverage
- Spraying
- Rabbit holes, uneven ground, rocks, puddles
- Water (creeks, water holes etc)
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Sustaining a healthy work life
- Try to get 8 hours sleep per night. Sleep-debt stresses your body and mind
- Healthy foods provide energy to function and nutrients to help you stay well
- 30 minutes exercise a day helps keep you well
- Drink water regularly throughout the day, 1.5 to 2 litres is usual, but your needs will vary depending on what work you do
- Take positive action to address both work and non-work stress: talk issues through, take breaks, eat away from your work area, work well for the required hours, then go and 'play'.
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Get a great night's sleep
- Try to get 8 hours sleep per night. Sleep debt stresses your body and your mind
- Wind down in the evening and relax for half an hour before bed. Reducing stress helps you sleep better
- Exercise during the day
- Healthy foods provide energy to function and sleep well
- Avoid caffeine for at least 5 hours before sleep
- Alcohol reduces sleep quality. If you drink in the evening, do so in moderation
- Make sure you have a very dark room and comfortable bed.
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Stay fit
- 30 minutes exercise a day helps keep you well
- Being healthy and physically flexible helps keep you safe at work
- Keep moving. Use the steps not the lift. Park your car 10 minutes from work and walk. Cycle to work. Take a walk at lunch time
- Start exercising with a friend
- When you start exercising, start slowly. Gradually increase activity as you get used to it
- Make your exercise as fun and playful as possible
- Have regular health checks.
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Eat well
- Healthy foods provide energy to function and nutrients to help you stay well
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables every day
- Drink water regularly throughout the day
- Drink more if high temperature and/or heavy activity means you sweat a lot
- Take lunch breaks away from your work area. Your digestion works best when you are relaxed.
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First aid for injuries: Part A
FIRST TWO DAYS - USE R.I.C.E.D. REST: To limit further damage, avoid moving the injured part as much as possible. ICE: Put ice in a damp towel and place on the injured part for 20 minutes. Do this every two hours for the first 48 hours after injury. COMPRESSION: Bandage the injured part between ice treatments. ELEVATION: Keep the injured part raised as much as possible. DIAGNOSIS: If pain or swelling isn't significantly less after 48 hrs seek professional medical help.
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First aid for injuries: Part B
FIRST THREE DAYS - AVOID H.A.R.M.
HEAT: Avoid hot baths and showers, saunas, hot water bottles, heat packs and liniments. ALCOHOL: Alcohol increases bleeding and swelling at the injury site and delays healing. RUNNING: Don't exercise the injured part for 72 hours unless approved by a medical professional. MASSAGE: Massaging an injury in the first 72 hours can slow down recovery.
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Red flags: Part A
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IF YOU HAVE:
- Severe, unremitting night-time pain
- Severe burning pain with associated pins and needles
- Significant loss of weight over a period of weeks to months
- Significant trauma (e.g. fall from a height, motor vehicle accident, crush, etc.)
- Feeling systematically unwell – e.g. with fevers, night sweats, flu-like symptoms.
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Red flags: Part B
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IF YOU HAVE:
- Obvious swelling or lump/s
- Redness – especially around joint/s
- Several different joints being affected at the same time
- Skin rash associated with joint pains
- Significant visible bruising in the affected area
- Paralysis or significant loss of function of the limb or part of the limb.
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