Heading into Harvest: Manage Fatigue Safely
Harvest brings pressure to make the most of good weather. Early starts, late finishes and long hours on machinery can quickly become part of the routine.
Before the busy period begins, check whether your roster allows workers to take proper breaks, recover between shifts and have days off. A worker agreeing to keep going does not remove the need to manage fatigue.
Whilst this article focuses on NSW broadacre and mixed-farming harvest operations covered by the Pastoral Award, the practical fatigue management principles can also help businesses in other states and territories. Check the work health and safety laws, approved codes of practice and employment requirements that apply to your workplace.
SafeWork NSW’s Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work came into effect on 20 February 2026. Since 1 July 2026, NSW businesses must follow relevant approved codes or use alternative controls that provide an equivalent or higher standard of health and safety. Plan the people and the breaks before the long days begin.
What the Code says about harvest hours
The Code sets out fatigue controls for employers to consider and implement as part of managing the risk. These controls are separate from Award break entitlements. Any alternative approach must provide an equivalent or higher safety standard.
Days on. The Code flags more than five consecutive days as a fatigue risk. It suggests no more than five days at a stretch, at least one full day off each week and two nights to sleep between work blocks.
Time off between shifts. Leave at least 12 hours free of work. For example, an 8 pm finish and an 8 am start allows a 12-hour break between shifts. They also need time to drive home, eat and sleep.
Shift length. A 12-hour break between shifts does not necessarily make a long shift (for example, a 12-hour shift) safe. Driving and operating machinery need extra care. Where fatigue could cause serious harm, the Code says to consider shifts of no more than eight hours and avoid overtime.
Breaks. The Code says workers should have at least 30 minutes off every five hours, more often in heat or higher-risk work. Under the Pastoral Award, workers also get a 30–60 minute meal break each day, within five hours of starting ordinary hours unless another time is agreed with the individual employee, and a paid 10-minute morning break.
Night work. Fatigue risk rises after 10 pm and is especially high between 2 am and 6 am. If you must harvest at night, keep night shifts shorter and avoid more than three in a row, as the Code recommends.
How to make this work on your farm
The farm can keep harvesting seven days a week, but individual workers need time off. Have a big enough casual pool to cover days off, meal breaks, sickness and a run of good weather.
Start people at different times. For example, one operator starts at 6 am and another at 11 am. Decide when each will finish and allow time for handover and meal breaks. Do not leave one person on the machine from dawn until night.
Set the finishing time before the day starts. Choose a shift length that suits the work and the conditions, then check that the next start leaves at least 12 hours off. If that worker starts again at 6 am, they must finish by 6 pm the previous day to get 12 hours off. Machinery work may require a shorter shift.
Stop the machines for meals. Bringing lunch and dinner to the paddock is useful, but workers must actually stop for at least 30 minutes. On a long day, plan a separate lunch and dinner break, with someone available to cover. If you direct a worker to work during their recognised Award meal break, pay 200% of the ordinary hourly rate until they get a proper 30-minute break. The payment does not replace the break.
Aim for five days on, two days off. You may need another casual just to cover those days off, as well as breaks and absences. Work out the cover needed for every machine and shift. Treat a sixth day as an exception that needs a fresh fatigue check and extra controls, not the usual roster. Do not plan seven straight.
Check the actual hours each day. Compare what happened with the roster. If weather keeps you going longer, bring in relief or change the next shift. Ask workers to speak up when they’re tired, and don’t leave a fatigued worker on machinery or to drive home without help.
Need help planning your harvest roster
Contact Hendy HR to discuss your harvest roster, break arrangements and fatigue procedures. We can help you review your approach and prepare practical workplace documents and toolbox materials for your team.
Book a time to discuss your harvest arrangements.
General information for NSW broadacre and mixed-farming harvest operations covered by the Pastoral Award, checked October 2026. Other farming work, awards and jurisdictions may have different requirements. Hendy HR is an HR and industrial relations consultancy, not a law firm. Obtain advice about your circumstances.
