AusGAP certification, Lawn Solutions Australia grower’s commitment to safety on turf farms.
Lawn Solutions Australia’s vision is to ensure that the activities of the national network of growers present the highest level of protection for health and safety of employees, customers, the public, and the environment.
AusGAP – The Australian turf certification program – has been created for the country’s leading turfgrass produces to provide consumers with assurance that their turf adheres to a stringent set of quality standards.
There are four main components of AusGAP that allow for the highest standards in turf production to be achieved by encompassing all facets of turf grower operations, with staff welfare and safety being one of these. Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA) is committed to the workplace health and safety of their members farms and have made AusGAP Certification a compulsory criterion to become an LSA member.
AusGAP outlines the following requirements regarding WH&S
3.1 Motor Vehicle, Plant and Machinery Maintenance
3.1.1 All motor vehicles, plant and machinery are to be regularly inspected and maintained as per State and Federal laws and/or industry standards.
3.1.2 All scheduled maintenance and major repairs carried out on motor vehicles, plant and machinery should be documented and compliant with any relevant statutory laws.
3.1.3 Regular staff training on correct motor vehicles, plant and machinery operation and maintenance needs to be carried out and recorded and made available to AusGAP on request.
3.1.4 Any faulty vehicles, plant or machinery that is deemed to be un-safe to use must be reported and removed from service as per the growers Work Health and Safety requirements or State and Federal Legislation.
3.1.5 No tagged or out-of-service vehicles, plant or machinery to be used at any time unless corrections made and deemed safe by the appropriate person.
3.2 Work Health & Safety (WHS)
3.2.1 The most recent copy of the grower’s relevant State regulated Work Health and Safety Act must be made available to all staff, contractors and business representatives to ensure they are compliant with this act at all times.
3.2.2 Minimum standards of work health and safety (WHS) legislation must be met. This includes complying with WHS regulations, codes of practice and the national compliance and
enforcement policy, all which are covered in the grower’s relevant State regulated Work Health and Safety Act.
3.2.3 Regular staff training and updates on WHS to comply with the grower’s relevant State regulated Work Health and Safety Act must be conducted.
3.2.4 A Work Health and Safety policy should be in adhered to and a WHS officer appointed to be compliant with the grower’s relevant State regulated Work Health and Safety Act.
3.2.5 Any workplace accidents or near misses must be reported and recorded to be compliant with the latest version of the grower’s relevant State regulated Work Health and Safety Act.
3.2.6 All State and Federal Employment laws need to be complied with at all times when operating on the grower’s premises or on an external site.
NB –An AusGAP Workplace Advisor can be contacted to create a custom WHS package to assist with compliance in accordance with both the AusGAP business accreditation and State and Federal laws.
3.3 Chemical Use & Storage
The grower is to meet the following minimum requirements in relation to the use and storage of chemicals:
3.3.1 All chemicals are to be used and stored in compliance with Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) requirements and all relative State and Federal legislation.
3.3.2 Only turf-registered or APVMA-approved Minor-Use Permit chemicals or those stipulated by relevant state and federal laws can be used.
3.3.3 Chemical usage to be conducted as per label recommended rates. A chemical application register must be maintained to comply with the latest relevant statutory State and Federal laws. 3.3.4 Whenever handling chemicals, operators must have appropriate and current licenses and training, as per relevant State or Federal legislative requirements.
3.3.5 All relevant and current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) need to be accessible to anyone handling chemicals and made available to AusGAP upon request.
3.3.6 All signage around chemical storage and handling areas must be clearly visible and compliant with relevant State or Federal legislative requirements.
3.3.7 Equipment used for chemical application must be calibrated, tested and maintained regularly. The grower is required to document these steps as per relevant State or Federal legislative requirements.
3.3.8 An up-to-date registry of chemicals stored on site must be kept separate from the storage facility in case of re or similar emergency.
3.6 Performance / Staff Training
3.6.1 Regular staff training on current and new products along with operator training on vehicles and machinery must be carried out and recorded where applicable or as requested by AusGAP.
3.6.2 Regular toolbox talks with staff on current WHS issues and advancements, updates and edits made to the companies WHS policies and procedures are to be carried out and recorded as part of the grower’s WHS policy.
Performance / Staff Training As part of AusGAP compliance, growers need to comply with the following staff employment and development requirements:
3.6.3 Award wages and conditions as a minimum.
3.6.4 Any other employment conditions as required to comply with relevant State and Federal laws.
3.6.5 All staff are to be made aware of and kept to date with AusGAP protocols and requirements of certification in line with current AusGAP training requirements.
For more information visit the AusGAP Website – https://www.ausgap.com.au/
To find your local accredited turf supplier click here.
