Managing Pressure on Farm: Strategies to Reduce Near Misses and Incidents

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Pressure, pushing down on me. Pressing down on you.

That’s right, we’re channelling Queen as we dive into being Under Pressure on farm.

Because let’s face it, pressure is part of the job. From time constraints, weather, family responsibilities and the unexpected, sometimes things don’t go to plan. And when the pressure ramps up, safety can often take a back seat.

With only so many hours in the day, it can feel like you’re chasing the clock. But when urgency takes over, shortcuts happen. And that's how Near Misses and Incidents occur.

The good news? A little planning goes a long way. While you can’t control everything, having a plan in place helps you feel more prepared, especially when things go wrong.

When speed sacrifices safety.

When pressure builds, stress kicks in and you go into overdrive.

You’ve got trucks showing up earlier or later than expected. Weather plays against you for seeding, spraying and harvesting. Livestock are getting loose, but you’ve got somewhere to be.

They’re all real-life scenarios that can happen, and unfortunately, we can’t always control them. But in the moment, you won’t notice it. Until the stress builds and suddenly, you’re rushing.

Rushing and taking shortcuts might save a few minutes, but the risks they create can last far longer. You’ll skip over things that might not seem important at the time, but they are. Like completing safety checklists before starting machinery, wearing the right PPE, holding toolbox talks, or recognising the fatigue you're feeling because there's a deadline to meet.

What you're really skipping is the safety of yourself and those around you.

Rushing, urgency, and pressure all fall under the same umbrella. It pushes safety down the priority list and opens you up to risks and hazards.

That’s why planning with safety as the primary objective can protect you when things go amiss.

How planning protects your farm.

Planning is at the heart of farm safety. It's how you protect yourself, your workers, your workplace, and everything that matters.

Plans provide a goal and guidelines on how to achieve a safe workplace, and yes it is possible. It's an important aspect of any farming operation.

And in times when deadlines are approaching, mistakes are happening, and decisions need to be made, plans are the saving grace.

Planning doesn’t have to be big or overwhelming, in fact, overplanning can put you off altogether. Start small and focus on the day-to-day and then streamline the rest of your operations.

Checklists
Don't rely on your memory for daily checklists, especially when under extreme pressure. Remembering all the bits and bobs will be nearly impossible. Utilise digital checklists so you can check things off in hand and in real time.

Task Management
Bearing the brunt of the workload isn’t healthy for anyone. If you have employees, make sure to delegate and assign tasks to lighten your load. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it makes sense, and instantly lightens the mental load.

Clear Communication
Communicate clearly with your team. Your workers will be better prepared for the job and know what's acceptable and what's not with clear instructions. Don’t forget to walk the walk too, actions often speak louder than words.

Time Management
Better early than late. You’ve probably heard it a thousand times in your life, but it’s true. Factor in delays so you can be proactive rather than reactive.

Take control of pressures in your business.

Good planning doesn’t eliminate time pressure, but it helps manage it safely. Pressure doesn't always have to be viewed negatively either.

A little bit of pressure can be beneficial. It motivates us to work and strive to finish our tasks. It's only when there's no outlet or reward that it accumulates and turns into something overwhelming.

These quick steps can help you plan with safety in mind and avoid unnecessary pressure.

Identify high-pressure tasks
What’s a job that currently overwhelms you or your team? Consider whether a safety checklist could benefit the process.

During peak periods, such as harvest, activities occur at a faster pace to meet deadlines. A checklist takes the mental load off by giving your team confidence that nothing important gets missed.

Safety management system
No one likes messing around with paperwork when they lack time. Invest in a digital safety system where all your important documents, checklists and records can be accessed on the go.

You can delegate and assign tasks, add checklists to machinery and add reminders to maintenance records and training. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your team and machinery are prepared for the busy seasons ahead.

Any form of prevention is better than the physical, mental, and financial toll a near miss or incident can take on your business when under pressure.

Pressure is part of the job, how you respond is what counts
Pressure doesn’t ever go away. It’s a natural part of life and comes and goes in waves. But how you prepare for it makes all the difference.

A clear plan helps you slow things down, keep people safe, and avoid costly mistakes. You won’t stop the unexpected from happening, but you can be ready for it.

Topics: Farm Safety Week