Contractors plans

[Mouser]

With the covid 19 how do you plan to manage sharing machines, swapping drivers etc?
Getting food on the job could be problematic too.

 

[betweenthelines]

Can't see it being much of a problem tbh.

One driver per tractor, wipes and gloves when hooking up machinery

Sandwiches, a flask and cans of pop.

Lets not over complicate things.

 

[Lincs Lass]

One driver,one machine no swapping ,as for food ,,bring a pack up .

 

[Mouser]

Ok more detail. Talking about silage, in all but the most settled weather we work 18-20hrs a day when its dry. Some staff go home at 5 replaced by evening help others dont and wont want to live on sandwiches only for 4 or 5 days on the trot.

 

[Ali_Maxxum]

Uuhh.... rightly or wrongly it's been business as usual, its alright here as it's family only.

Where I go subbing though its everyone on all of it, it's virtually impossible and quite impractical otherwise. The one man, one tractor thing is doable, but not every day.

When we kick off I may struggle with bumping little bales, but I've spoken to all my regular staff that I ask to come in and they're all happy to crack on.... Will send someone to the chip shop like normal. Wash your hands and be sensible, what more can you really do?!

 

[Still Farming]

Does Corvid 19 live,remain in aircon systems?
Lot seem to worry about this aspect?

 

[Lofty1984]

Ok more detail. Talking about silage, in all but the most settled weather we work 18-20hrs a day when its dry. Some staff go home at 5 replaced by evening help others dont and wont want to live on sandwiches only for 4 or 5 days on the trot.

We’ve got hand wipes gloves and soap/water in all our tractors , try to stick to one man one tractor but it’s not practical really as certain tractors are needed on certain jobs I.e set up for certain tasks like fert or drilling, so if on a differ tractor than our “own” wipe it all down as soon as you get in then wash hands,
As for the sandwiches I’ve done it every day for years take enough grub for 12/15 hrs and crack on, anyone who moans about eating sarnies for 5 days needs a boot up the arse when there’s people dying of covid

 

[KB6930]

We’ve got hand wipes gloves and soap/water in all our tractors , try to stick to one man one tractor but it’s not practical really as certain tractors are needed on certain jobs I.e set up for certain tasks like fert or drilling, so if on a differ tractor than our “own” wipe it all down as soon as you get in then wash hands,
As for the sandwiches I’ve done it every day for years take enough grub for 12/15 hrs and crack on, anyone who moans about eating sarnies for 5 days needs a boot up the arse when there’s people dying of covid

Yeah same here when I leave the house house I'm ready to do what's needed whether it's finishing at 5 in the winter or or possibly not getting home till the following morning just in time to turn round and go back out again during the busy times.
The way things are this year even more so than ever these folk could maybe do with a wakeup call.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

As for the sandwiches I’ve done it every day for years take enough grub for 12/15 hrs and crack on, anyone who moans about eating sarnies for 5 days needs a boot up the arse when there’s people dying of covid

Well said [emoji106]

These young’uns need a wake up

A mate used to drive 8 wheelers for 30 years and he’d leave at 4am during the week and his wife would pack him up enough bait & flasks for the day

Sometimes he’d be home at 5pm, but if there was chance of a few more loads - she’d meet him on a motorway bridge at 5pm, with the 2 bairns to hand over a new tacho card [emoji6][emoji50] and and more bait for the evening shift and he’d be home at 9-10pm for a hot meal & bed - this was in the 1980’s and 90’s when you could do it

 

[FarmyStu]

Well said [emoji106]

These young’uns need a wake up

A mate used to drive 8 wheelers for 30 years and he’d leave at 4am during the week and his wife would pack him up enough bait & flasks for the day

Sometimes he’d be home at 5pm, but if there was chance of a few more loads - she’d meet him on a motorway bridge at 5pm, with the 2 bairns to hand over a new tacho card [emoji6][emoji50] and and more bait for the evening shift and he’d be home at 9-10pm for a hot meal & bed - this was in the 1980’s and 90’s when you could do it

Yep, that's the attitude that will bring desperately needed staff into farming.

 

[Robt]

Id also be cautions to advertise you let your team work 18-20 hours per day. Even if only for 4-5 days. It simply isnt safe. I know that comment will get me the name '' kill joy/H&S numpty or snowflake'' but we need to get away from these hours.

 

[jonnieboy]

Careful @Robt this is chopping grass you are referring to
This is the place where tractors and trailers can be run 20 hrs a day for £15 an hour and still leave a margin for rugby shirts

 

[Dukes Fit]

Ok more detail. Talking about silage, in all but the most settled weather we work 18-20hrs a day when its dry. Some staff go home at 5 replaced by evening help others dont and wont want to live on sandwiches only for 4 or 5 days on the trot.

Get more creative with the lunch bag then. There's no reason just to pack sandwiches then complain about it. That's just being lazy.

Pretty sure most of us on here have lived on sandwiches for weeks/months let alone 4 or 5 days, it's hardly the end of the world.

Make a sandwich/wrap for lunch, buy a whole cooked chicken and make it in to a salad for tea, take some cans and heat them on the engine half an hour before you stop. All ways to stave of sandwich boredom

 

[KB6930]

Id also be cautions to advertise you let your team work 18-20 hours per day. Even if only for 4-5 days. It simply isnt safe. I know that comment will get me the name '' kill joy/H&S numpty or snowflake'' but we need to get away from these hours.

Great idea this working less but......who's gonna do it if we don't work long hours when needed ?

 

[Robt]

That i cant answer, There isnt an easy answer to this. Working 20 hours a day driving and operating machines simply cannot be acceptable in the future as if we dont change ourselves (again i dont know how) then government will change it for us. How can anyone justify those hours operating at similar weights and speed to HGV that are heavily restricted? Very hard to find ways but we must somehow

 

[Mouser]

Id also be cautions to advertise you let your team work 18-20 hours per day. Even if only for 4-5 days. It simply isnt safe. I know that comment will get me the name '' kill joy/H&S numpty or snowflake'' but we need to get away from these hours.

Never said individuals did, the main point of the thread is how to deal with change overs

 

[KB6930]

That i cant answer, There isnt an easy answer to this. Working 20 hours a day driving and operating machines simply cannot be acceptable in the future as if we dont change ourselves (again i dont know how) then government will change it for us. How can anyone justify those hours operating at similar weights and speed to HGV that are heavily restricted? Very hard to find ways but we must somehow

May need to back to how things used to be more small farms and machinery more staff and people doing things themselves at a slower pace . Can't see that happening tho.

 

[Robt]

All you can do, is to ensure machines are wiped clean as best you can. Sadly there isnt a foolproof answer. just do the best you can. You must everyone to be honest and if they are having symptoms to inform you immedaitly. This may be the hardest part as can they tell the difference between hay fever and being tired compared to Covid-19? I feel for you, i really do. Good for trying to be proactive.

 

[fingermouse]

It’s been a busy spring here with more drilling than normal things just started to come right ground wise when this virus hit
7 of us here and it was decided from the start to put disinfectant and hand sanitiser in all tractors and as much as possible one man sticks to his own tractor but like Lofty says above that’s not always practical
We’ve managed up to now by being sensible and constantly washing hands and wiping tractors interiors down everyone’s doing it because I’ve never seen such clean cabs and touch wood everyone’s ok
So can’t see why this should be a problem when we get busy in the grass
As for snap it’s a poor job when someone won’t live on sandwiches or more creative butty box meals during busy times , I’ve managed for nearly 40 yrs and not wasted away
Only thing we thought is maybe enforcing the social distancing measures it’s going to be tough sheeting. Up

 

[Mouser]

Thanks for replies. It's not me, its fella I do a bit for asked what I thought. I agree that his lads should just get on with it food wise but he says theres complaining already. Cab hygiene is a tricky one but individual hand sanitizer per person and disinfectant per tractor is all you can do really.