LAMU, Re-entry guidelines and mini APV

New LAMU

The new LAMU (Occurpational health and safety committee) has now started working. We thank the resigned members for their great effort, and welcome new members to the committee. There have been a number of structural changes in the composition of the committee. DCA/ICROFS have chosen to form their own LAMU, so they are no longer part of AGRO-LAMU. At the same time, the CGB has become part of AGRO, and is thus represented here. In addition, QGG has become part of AGRO-LAMU - they are not part of AGRO, but we share laboratories and other facilities. They are therefore a natural part of the discussions about occupational safety in Flakkebjerg.

Medlemmerne af det nye LAMU er:

• Mogens Nicolaisen - mn@agro.au.dk - LAMU chairman
• Jørgen Eriksen - jorgen.eriksen@agro.au.dk - LAMU member (Leader-rep)
• Torben Asp - torben.asp@qgg.au.dk - LAMU member (Leader-rep)
• Thomas Birger Jensen - tjn@agro.au.dk - LAMU member (Leader-rep)
• Anne Pia Larsen - annepia.larsen@agro.au.dk - LAMU member (employee-rep) 
• Jytte Klara Christensen - jytte.christensen@agro.au.dk - LAMU member (employee-rep) – (until a new representative is found)
• Charlotte Hamann Knudsen - charlotte.knudsen@agro.au.dk - LAMU member (employee-rep)
• Stephan Ferdinand Hentrup - stephan.hentrup@qgg.au.dk - LAMU member (employee-rep)
• Jens Molbo - jens.molbo@agro.au.dk - LAMU member (employee-rep)
• Helene Saltoft Kristjansen - helene.saltoft@agro.au.dk - LAMU member (employee-rep)
• Palle Jørgensen - palle.jorgensen@agro.au.dk -  LAMU Deputy chairman

Re-entry in sprayed fields

Guidelines for re-entry after spraying crops are being developed. It is the intention that the guidelines will apply to all employees who work in the fields in Flakkebjerg, Foulum, and Aaskov. An internal project was carried out in 2019 and 2020, which Peter Kryger Jensen lead. It was investigated how soon after spraying you can enter a field without being contaminated with pesticides. The reason for this is that employees have expressed concerns about exposure to pesticides when driving in fields after spraying. The result of the analysis shows that the deposition on a protective suit 24 hours after spraying is approx. 1% relative to deposition found immediately after spraying. Based on the result, the recommendation is that protective equipment is always worn regardless of when the field is sprayed.

A committee has been set up consisting of Helene S. Kristjansen, Thomas Jensen, Jens Molbo, Pia Juhl Andersen and Peter Kryger Jensen, who will work on the recommendation. 

Mini APV

As a result of repatriations in connection with COVID-19, we implemented a mini-APV. The answers have been discussed in both LAMU and LSU (Liason Committee). For practical reasons, this mini-APV has primarily focused on the working from home situation. It has therefore not included the staff groups that have had the opportunity to go to work in e.g. laboratories and fields. 

It appears from the answer that approx. 35% have experienced problems with their backs, arms or shoulders. It is therefore encouraged that you make sure that you arrange your home workplace appropriately and at the same time make sure to move regularly. It is of course possible to borrow a monitor and office chair to take home during the repatriation.

About 50% have answered that there are problems with student supervision. Therefore, we encourage frequent and regular meetings with the students. It can take place online, but there is also the possibility of physical meetings, as long as the current COVID guidelines are taken into account.

About 12% answer that they feel insecure about being at their place of work. If you feel insecure, you are strongly encouraged to contact TR or the nearest manager to find a solution. In general, if you experience problems with COVID-19, you are encouraged to discuss the situation with your immediate supervisor.

Read more about the APV survey and see the main results here.