AG COMPANY
Health and Safety Standard Operating Procedure
SOP-0001
Night Work Safety
Rev. No. Issue Date pages Description Prepared By Reviewed By Approved By
1 Night Work Safety
AG COMPANY Revision No. 0
Night Work Safety Operating Date Issued: 02/01/18
procedure Page 2 of 7
Table of Contents
1. Purpose 3
2. Scope3
3. Procedure Requirements 4
1. General Lighting Requirements 4
Tractors and Self Propelled Equipment
Employee Lighting
Stationary Requirements
Reference Notes
2. Hazard Identification and Control 5
3. Effective Communication 5
4. Worker Health 6
5. Emergency Action Plan 6
6. Training 7
7. Recordkeeping and Documentation 7
AG COMPANY Revision No. 0
Night Work Safety Operating Date Issued: 02/01/18
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1. purpose
Night work presents a unique array of hazards that can be remedied by the utilization
of proper planning, training, monitoring, and the correction of all identified hazards. In
an effort to enforce the existing state regulations as well as prepare for specific
anticipated changes, this program is being established to set requirements for night
operations at all Paramount Farming Company locations.
2. SCOPE
This Standard operating procedure applies to all ( ) employees as well as all
vendors and contractors who perform work during the night hours. As defined in Title
8, CCR 3441(g) night operations take place 1 hour before dusk till 1 hour after dawn.
Title 8, CCR 3317 was also utilized as a reference document in the process of writing
this procedure.
Night operations may include but are not limited to:
Shop Operations
Mechanic Operations
Spray Operations
Machine Harvesting
Frost Control Operations
Irrigation Operations
Vendors/Contractors
AG COMPANY Revision No. 0
Night Work Safety Operating Date Issued: 02/01/18
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3. PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS
1. General LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
As defined in the Scope night work activity is taking place 1 hour before dusk and 1
hour after dawn.
Tractors and Self Propelled Equipment (including ATV’s and RTV’s)
All equipment shall have a minimum of one headlight that will illuminate the
area in front of the equipment at least 50 feet.
There is a minimum of one rear light illuminating the back of the equipment
Employee Lighting
There is a minimum illumination of 10 foot-candles when working within 25
feet of operation tractors, trucks, self-propelled or towed equipment
Class 2 high visibility garments shall be used by all employees
When permanent illumination can’t be provided, suitable portable lights
shall be provided
Stationary Lighting Requirements
1.0 Foot-candles: Loading areas and warehouses
2.0 Foot-candles: Elevators, stairways, assembly areas, layout areas
5.0 – 10 Foot-candles: Portable restrooms
5.0 Foot candles: processing areas and machine shops
REFERENCE NOTES:
107.6 lumens are equal to 10 foot-candles
Lumens describe the light output
The sun gives 50 foot-candles
Foot-candles are the light reflected off a target at a distance from the source
To assure these levels at all times, higher initial levels need to be provided to compensate
for their depreciation due use, age and accumulation of dirt on lamps and surfaces
All porta potties have lights on the inside and outside during night hours so they are clearly
visible to anyone on the work site - 5.0 Foot candles to 10 Foot candles
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2. Hazard Identification and Control
We carefully review the worksite for potential hazards during day light hours
and night time hours to determine the equipment required, safety procedures,
protocol and specialized training needed.
We inspect equipment and ensure it is working properly and that all safety
mechanisms are in place
We correct identifiable hazards, discuss those changes with your crew and
document the corrections
We utilize reflective tape in an attempt to clearly mark all machinery so that the
machinery can be seen throughout the orchards and staging areas
All harvest staging areas, hand harvesting, pesticide mixing areas, in the
orchards have portable or fixed area lights
3. Effective Communication
Communication procedures between all employees, in particular between
supervisors and all workers shall be established and communicated prior to
each shift.
During night harvest there will be spotters that give direction to all equipment
operators.
During night harvest it is communicated amongst all employees that while
operating mobile equipment there will be a single direction that every vehicle
must travel in an attempt to mitigate collisions due to oncoming traffic. If the
location changes once a shift has begun the new routes must be identified to all
employees.
If employees are working independently we provide communication devices
(cell phones or radios) and check-in with the employee regularly
We have developed a “buddy system” to ensure all employees are being
observed to prevent injuries and illness
All employees are closely supervised and all employees are provided sufficient
time to acclimatize to the night work conditions
We periodically test systems of communication to determine effectiveness
during night work
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Night Work Safety Operating Date Issued: 02/01/18
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4. Worker Health
All workers are required to be equipped with portable lights when sufficient
lighting is not available (Not only to prevent work injuries but to prevent
predatory night behavior)
Employees do not walk to and from worksite alone
Employee break areas are well-lit and in accessible areas
Employee’s wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for night
activities.
Class 2 high visibility vests
We provide clean, cool, portable water to combat fatigue and dehydration.
Please refer to Heat Illness prevention program for proper procedures.
1 in every 20 workers shall be trained in First Aid/CPR – those trained shall be
present during night work
Pests unique to the area such as bees, snakes, scorpions, insects, rodents and
other potential harmful animals are identified for all employees, as well as
techniques for minimizing potential contact as well as to how to administrated
First Aid in case of a bite or sting (all employees who know they are allergic to
stings carry their medication in case of a sting)
All employees shall drink water prior to their shift as communicated in the Heat
Illness program. We try to maintain an eating pattern similar to the one we
follow during the day in an attempt to acclimate employees to night conditions.
Condensation on objects is more likely at night due to cooler temperatures, this
makes surfaces slippery. We make sure of proper footing when walking in an
attempt to mitigate trips, slips and falls.
5. Emergency Action Plan
We have created a night specific plan to responding to an emergency situation.
Taking into consideration the availability of medical services (hours of
operation)
We have planned what visible landmarks to use when directing emergency
responders (the landmarks can be seen at night)
We have conducted an emergency response drill at night to ensure employees
understand the night specific plan components
Each area has established a specific location to meet in case of an emergency as
described in site specific plan.
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Night Work Safety Operating Date Issued: 02/01/18
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6. Training
Our safety training reflects working conditions including those unique to night
work
As employers we conduct regular safety training at night and document training
content, date and time provided plus worker participation
It is essential that all our employees are educated about the night hazards
specific to their jobs and to the operation
7. Record Keeping and Documentation
All aspects of the night work IIPP are documented and made readily accessible
to workers and available at every worksite
We consistently and accurately document the following:
Safety Trainings
Hazard Correction
Injuries and Illnesses
Communication Plan
Emergency Action Plan
All other pertinent information specific to worker safety and their health
All serious injuries and illnesses are reported to immediate supervisor and
Cal/OSHA within 8 hours of the incident, regardless of the time of day. Cal/OSHA
reporting line accepts calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. An incident occurring
at night is not a valid reason for not dialing Cal/OSHA immediately.
