Field Workers (lemons, Avocados); Forklift Drivers

Job description

Under the direction of the supervisor, heavy labor of picking lemons or avocados as per color and size requirements. Employees will be climbing 3-point ladder as needed to pick fruit. Employee will be using proper hand shears for picking lemons. Lemons will be cut with the proper hand shears not pulled and placed into bag sack, which is carried on the front of the body, with straps around the shoulder and back for support. Sack full of fruit can weigh up to 65 lbs. Once full, the sack is emptied into bin, this process is repeated until bin is full.

Employee will need to walk around the tree, under the tree, and inside the tree and from a ladder to pick the appropriate fruit. Employees will be wearing safety protection, hard hats, gloves, protective sleeves, knee pads, and eye protection. Employees will be pruning avocado and lemon trees, using both pruning loppers and hand saws. Employees will be expected to follow the direction and techniques specific to avocado trees and lemon trees from the supervisor. Employees will be skirting lemon trees using sheers to trim bottom branches (trimming on branches at the bottom of the tree so as not to touch the ground) and suckering (removing lateral shoots, or suckers), from the trees. Employees will be planting trees and weeding around trees using a long-handled hoe, shovels. Start times vary depending on the weather (fog or heavy dew). Fruit cannot be picked until it is dry on the outside.

• Canopy management: Leaf thinning/pulling, color thinning, sucker removal, shoot removal
• Rot/botrytis cluster removal
• Wing removal
• Wire work/trellising
• Netting
• Weeding
Forklift Driver: Under the direction of the supervisor the driver is responsible for loading, unloading and moving materials for lemon and avocado laboring. Directing forklift through the field, and movement to a new location. Employee must conduct daily maintenance check prior to operating forklift. Required basic knowledge of driving a forklift, must pass a forklift safety training and demonstrate ability to operate forklift in a safe manner.
Workers may occasionally and/or sporadically perform duties associated with and directly related to the primary duties such as cleaning up field before during and after harvest, picking up trash, discarding cartons and assisting as safety monitor when equipment is turning in the field to begin a new pass.

In the event that an employee is injured while on the job, the Company will provide a temporary work assignment that will be as closely related to the job duties described herein, while the employee recovers from a work-related illness which meets with physician’s clearance to return to work under specific limitations. The work assignment will not be a permanent position, it will be temporary to accommodate the injured worker under doctor’s restrictions and time period that may differ from the heavy field work described within.

Special Requirements

This work may entail exposure to plant pollens, insects, and noxious plants, and to fields and plant materials which have been treated with insect and/or disease control sprays. The employer will comply with all worker protection standards and re-entry restrictions applicable to pesticides and other chemicals used in the fields. Workers are also required to comply with all applicable worker protection standards and re-entry times. Workers must listen to, understand and follow instructions of company supervisors and managers.

Continued on Addendum C