Orchard & Table-Grape Pruning SWMS
Pruning and tending of orchard fruit trees and table-grape vines — secateur, lopper and powered-pruner work, ladder and EWP access, canopy management, sun and heat exposure, hand-arm vibration from sustained powered-tool use, and agrichemical and biological contact.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Orchard and table-grape operations cover winter pruning, canopy management and seasonal harvest activities across fruit orchards, citrus groves and table-grape vines. Workers face cutting-tool laceration, ladder and elevating-work-platform falls, sun and heat exposure, hand-arm vibration from sustained powered-pruner use, repetitive manual handling, and agrichemical and biological contact. WHS Regulation 2011 requires documented risk controls under PCBU duty of care (s19) for all horticultural tasks.
Hazards identified
6 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Deep hand cuts, tendon and nerve damage
Heat exhaustion, heat stroke collapse
Fractures, head and spinal injury, fatality at >2m
Hand-arm vibration syndrome, carpal tunnel, vibration white finger
Skin absorption, respiratory irritation, sensitisation
Shoulder, neck and lower-back musculoskeletal injury
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Issue cut-resistant gloves (EN 388 Level 3 or above) and maintain sharp, serviced pruning tools; powered pruners locked off when not in use.
- 2Schedule work outside peak heat where possible; mandate hydration breaks every 30 minutes, shaded rest areas, and BoM heat-policy thresholds for stop-work.
- 3Inspect ladders and EWPs each shift per AS/NZS 1892 (ladders) and AS 2550.10 (EWPs); harness anchor mandatory above 2m; ground-spotter for orchard ladder work on uneven terrain.
- 4Rotate workers off powered-pruner duties hourly; tool-vibration disclosure recorded; annual HAVS health surveillance for sustained users.
- 5Observe chemical re-entry intervals on the SDS; provide nitrile gloves, coveralls and P2 respirators per AS/NZS 1715; spray-drift buffer windows enforced.
- 6Rotate overhead and ground tasks every 90 minutes; crate weights kept below 15 kg; mechanical bin-tipper for harvest transfer.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Heat stress, hydration and shade duties for outdoor work
RPE selection for agrichemical handling tasks
Access equipment inspection, set-up and use in orchard terrain
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Orchard ladder and EWP work for canopy management and high-set pruning frequently exceeds the 2m threshold.
Category 2 offence; PCBU fines to A$1.5M for breach.
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS pre-populated for orchard pruning and table-grape operations
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule covering all 8 Australian jurisdictions
- ✓Hazard register with risk matrix scoring and residual risk ratings
- ✓Worker sign-on register meeting WHS Reg r300 consultation requirements
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s19 — Primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 2011 r36 — Hierarchy of control
- Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994