This unit applies to tourism and hospitality enterprises where grounds maintenance involves the use of tractors, machinery or equipment. The following explanations identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.
Tractors may be:
two wheel drive
four wheel drive
front wheel assist
articulated, including scrapers, track or crawler-driven
with attached equipment.
Machinery and equipment may be:
hydraulic equipment
stationary engines, generators
spraying equipment
stump grinders
mulchers and chippers
mowers, ride-on mowers
trimmers
earthmoving equipment
trailers, harrows, rakes
rotary hoes.
Safe systems and procedures may related to:
the safe operation of tractors, machinery and equipment, including the fitting of guards and shields
hazard and risk control
safe mounting and dismounting
manual handling, including lifting and carrying
the application of emergency/defensive driving techniques
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of personal protective equipment
securing roll-over protection if required
wearing a seatbelt
passengers being carried only when there is a seat approved by manufacturer.
Hazards may include:
exposure to loud noise and fumes
hazardous substances, eg fuel, oils
solar radiation and organic and other dusts
ergonomic hazards associated with posture and mechanical vibration
bystanders, livestock and wildlife
difficult terrain and varying gradients
broken ground, potholes, ditches, gullies, embankments, obstacles
adverse weather conditions
electricity, overhead hazards, including powerlines
loose clothing
speed and fatigue
load shifts
mechanical malfunctions, exposed moving parts including hydraulics
run over by tractor, crushed by roll-over, and other machinery.
Routine checks carried out prior to operation may include:
inspection of working parts, attachments, connections
checking fuel, oil and power source
cabin drills
pre-start and safety checks of tractors and mowers, including an assessment of tyres, wheels, controls and cables, lights, safety mirrors, electrics, safety restraints, chain/driveshaft, chassis, seatbelts, suspension, power take-off equipment and guards, roll-over protection, spark arresters, pneumatic and hydraulic systems
checking of cooling system, fuel, oils and lubricants, battery levels; tyre pressure, fan belts, leads, lines, connections, air filters, air conditioning, brakes, clutch, gearbox, steering, lighting and transmission
inspection of hitch and towing points.
Enterprise requirements applicable to this standard may be:
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
industry standards
production schedules
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
work notes and plans
product labels
manufacturers specifications
operators manuals
enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)
oral or written instructions.
Operations using attached equipment may include tractors set up and operated for:
blade
belt pulley
drawbar
front-end loader
power take-off
remote hydraulics
linkage mounted equipment.
Risks associated with the operation of tractors, machinery and equipment may include:
rollover, back flip or getting bogged
entanglement, eg loose clothing, hair
burns, cutting, electrocution
collision
overheating
toxic fumes.
Personal protective equipment may be:
boots with non-slip soles
overalls
seatbelts, gloves
protective eyewear
hearing protection
respirator or facemask
sun protection, eg sun hat, sunscreen.
Environmental implications associated with the operation of tractors, machinery and equipment may include:
excessive noise and exhaust emissions
the unsafe use and disposal of maintenance debris, (eg oil containers, chemical residues), and hazardous substances (eg fuel, oils)
high traffic activity, particularly the repeated use of tracks, which may compact, disturb or negatively impact on soil
dust problems and increased run-off flows from unsafe cleaning and servicing activities.
Shut down procedures may include:
turning the engine/machine off
securing the tractor, machinery or equipment
ensuring hydraulic equipment is lowered to a safe position
parking /locating away from hazards
maintaining a clear thoroughfare
refuelling and cleaning
engaging brake and removing keys.
Reports relevant to this standard may include:
routine checks and maintenance
scheduled maintenance activities
mandatory or statutory inspections
log books
faults, malfunctions and damage details
hazard and incident reports.