Working within the ground-spread fertiliser industry exposes workers to a number of potentially very serious hazards. Not only are high volumes of potentially harmful fertilisers involved, workers are often working alone and in a vast range of environmental conditions.

These and other factors heighten the need for comprehensive operator training and job planning.

Table of Contents

• Acknowledgements
  • The place and context of this document
• Section 1: Introduction and Legislation
  • Reference information
  • Websites for further information
  • Legislative and regulatory context
  • Terminology
• Section 2: General Safety
  • Operator training and safety
• Section 3: Job Planning
• Section 4: On-site Practical Guide
  • Pre-start checklists
• Section 5: Product Hazards
  • Product hazards and controls
• Section 6: Storage and Maintenance
  • Fertiliser stores
  • Safety during maintenance
  • Tyres
• Section 7: Specific Hazards and Environmental factors
  • Hazards and risk assessment
  • Attitude and complacency
  • Fatigue and distractions
  • Driving techniques
  • Safety belts and operator protective structures
  • Machine hazards
  • Ground conditions
  • Pasture composition and sudden terrain changes
  • Slope and aspect
  • Environment and weather changes
  • Access, bridges and culverts
• Section 8: Emergency Planning
  • Man alone policies
  • Towing disabled or stuck vehicles
  • Other issues