The California wine industry is booming as wineries thrive on sales from restaurants, distributors and tourists. Employees of the wineries are kept very busy, which can put them at risk for health issues and injuries.
Those who work in the vineyards (viticulturists) often have to deal with extreme heat or weather-related conditions while trying to do their jobs. Adding to the hazardous situation is smoke from nearby forest fires.
Viticulturists face a variety of work-related hazards
Employers are constantly looking for ways to protect their viticulturists. One of the ways that they combat extreme heat index-related illness is by adjusting their crew’s work hours. Instead of picking grapes during the day in the blazing sun, some crews pick grapes at night. This helps the workers to avoid heat stroke and sun poisoning from long hours of sun exposure.
In addition to heat index-related illnesses, viticulturists face other hazards on the job. These include:
- Allergies and asthma, brought on by exposure to pesticides
- Musculoskeletal diseases, brought on by repetitive movements
- Hearing damage from high noise levels from machines
- Bee stings and insect bites
- Exposure to snakes and other outdoor pests
Reducing the risk of illness and injury to employees is a top priority in vineyards. This can be done by regularly emphasizing job safety for viticulturists. Regular health screenings by medical professionals can help to uncover potential risks on an individual level.
Health and safety meetings can help
Make health and safety the main priority at each conference or gathering. Start by addressing any close calls, injuries or accidents that have recently occurred. Then, open the floor to your employees and listen to their ideas or concerns. Keeping an open dialogue raises workplace safety awareness for employers and employees alike.
Should you suffer an accident, illness or injury while working in the vineyard, it may be wise to seek assistance with your workman’s compensation case.
