And be sure the drivers are qualified. Before the harvest, it is also worthwhile for an owner to check for potential hazards at the work site - take a good look around the orchard, for example, by driving through on a tractor. Limbs may be a hazard for operators of equipment without cabs, such as tractors and choppers, as well as sweepers and pickup machines and shakers. Protective bars or other protection can be installed. Head protection for workers is needed if there is a chance of flying tree limbs.
Eye protection is recommended on most jobs, and dust masks if working in dust.
Almost all machines make ear protection necessary. In recent checks with a decibel meter, we found that older tractors run at about 100 to 110 decibels. Chain saws run at 105 to 116. At 90 decibels, ear damage begins after 8 hours. Most harvest equipment probably runs in these upper ranges.