A worker accommodation checklist helps you catch small problems before the spring workload picks up. One week, you’re preparing equipment and watching the weather. The next, seasonal workers are arriving and there’s no spare time to deal with a leaking tap or faulty fridge.
Worker accommodation can easily fall to the bottom of the list. However, leaving checks until the day before people arrive creates unnecessary problems.
A missing key’s a small issue when you find it early. During a busy season, it becomes another job that needs immediate attention.
Good farm managers know reliable on-farm accommodation helps keep good people. Aruva’s practical approach is simple: check early, fix the essentials first and don’t leave accommodation until arrival day.
Here are seven things to check before your spring workers arrive.
1. Is the building in good condition?
Check the roof, gutters, walls, windows, doors and internal surfaces for weather damage, water entry, pests and general wear. Everything should open, close and lock properly. Fix leaks, damaged screens, loose fittings and trip hazards before the unit’s occupied. Small defects are easier to handle now than during the season.
Start with a full walk around the outside.
Look for damage caused by rain, wind, heat or pests. Check the roof where it’s safe to do so. Inspect the gutters, downpipes, exterior walls, windows and doors.
Pay close attention to signs of water getting inside. Water stains, mould, peeling paint or a musty smell may indicate a leak.
Check that windows open, close and lock properly. Do the same with external doors.
Repair damaged seals and screens before flies, insects and dust become a daily problem.
Inside, inspect the walls, ceilings and floors. Look for loose fittings, cracked surfaces and anything that could become a trip hazard.
It’s also worth reviewing Aruva’s winter accommodation checks. Winter faults involving moisture, drainage and access can remain hidden until the unit’s used again.
Small repairs are easier to manage before workers arrive. They’re much harder once the accommodation’s occupied and the season’s underway.
2. Is the plumbing working properly?
Run every tap, shower, toilet and drain before workers move in. Check for leaks, low pressure, slow drainage and hot-water problems. If the unit’s been empty through winter, include pumps, tanks and supply lines. Don’t assume the plumbing’s fine simply because it worked last season.
Turn on every tap and let the water run. Check the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and any outside taps connected to the accommodation.
Look under sinks and around fittings for slow leaks.
Flush every toilet and make sure it refills correctly. Run water through showers, basins and floor drains. Slow drainage may indicate a blockage that needs clearing.
Test the hot-water system as well. Confirm that it heats properly and provides enough hot water for the expected number of workers.
If the building’s been empty through winter, check for damaged pipes, seized taps or unusual water pressure.
Rural water systems can also be affected by pump, tank or supply issues. Include them in the inspection.
Plumbing problems rarely improve on their own. Fixing them early prevents water damage, waste and urgent repair calls during the season.
3. Are the electrical systems working safely?
Test the lights, switches, power points, safety switches, exhaust fans and heating or cooling systems. Look for damaged cords, cracked fittings, flickering lights and repeated power failures. The goal isn’t to perform electrical work yourself. It’s to identify faults early and arrange a licensed electrician where one’s needed.
Go through the accommodation room by room.
Replace failed light globes. Check for flickering lights, loose fittings, damaged cords or cracked power points.
Test the bathroom exhaust fans and kitchen rangehood.
Heating and cooling systems also need attention. Spring weather can change quickly. Workers shouldn’t have to discover that the air conditioner or heater’s stopped working.
Check that the switchboard’s accessible and clearly labelled. Test safety switches with the test button and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t attempt electrical repairs yourself. A licensed electrician should inspect damaged wiring, faulty fittings or repeated power failures.
The aim isn’t to complete a technical electrical inspection. It’s to identify obvious faults before the accommodation’s in daily use.
4. Can workers access the accommodation easily?
Workers should be able to reach the accommodation safely, park without trouble and enter without chasing someone for directions or keys. Check roads, gates, paths, steps, lighting, locks and parking areas. Clear vegetation and repair unstable surfaces before vehicles and workers begin arriving on the property.
Check the road or track leading to the accommodation. Look for washouts, deep ruts, fallen branches or soft ground.
Make sure gates open properly. They shouldn’t be blocked by equipment, stock or overgrown vegetation.
Check that parking areas are clear and stable. There should be enough room for the expected number of vehicles.
Inspect paths, steps, decks and entry areas. Remove loose materials and repair unstable surfaces. Clear anything that could cause someone to slip or trip.
Then sort out the keys.
Confirm that every lock works and that you’ve got enough keys. Decide how workers will collect them and what they’ll do if they arrive outside normal hours.
Clear access saves time from the first day. It also helps workers settle in without needing guidance on every small detail.
5. Are the appliances ready to use?
Every supplied appliance should be clean, safe and working before workers move in. Test fridges, freezers, cooking equipment, washing machines, dryers and heating or cooling systems. Check cords, seals, filters and controls. Don’t assume an appliance is reliable because it worked several months ago.
Test the fridge and freezer early enough to confirm that they reach the correct temperature. Run the stove, oven, microwave, kettle and any other supplied kitchen appliances.
Put the washing machine through a complete cycle. If there’s a dryer, test that too.
Make sure heating and cooling appliances work without unusual noises, smells or leaks.
Clean each appliance thoroughly. Empty old food, wipe shelves and check that the seals are intact. Clear lint filters and make sure instruction labels are readable.
Inspect power cords and plugs for visible damage. Repair or replace anything that’s unsafe or unreliable before workers arrive.
Reliable appliances aren’t an extra. They’re part of better accommodation for farm workers who may be working long days.
The basics need to work so workers can cook, wash and get a proper night’s sleep before the next shift.
6. Are the safety essentials in place?
The accommodation should have working smoke alarms, clear exits, accessible emergency equipment and current contact information before anyone moves in. Check first-aid supplies, exterior lighting and emergency directions as well. Where there’s doubt about safety or compliance, get advice from a suitably qualified professional.
Test every smoke alarm and replace batteries where required. For NSW properties, review Fire and Rescue NSW’s smoke alarm guidance.
Check the condition and service dates of fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Make sure workers can access them easily.
Restock the first-aid kit. Replace expired, damaged or missing items rather than assuming someone’ll sort it out later.
Walk through the accommodation and confirm that all exits are clear. Doors and windows used for emergency access must open properly.
Don’t allow boxes, furniture or stored equipment to block exit paths.
Display the property address, emergency contacts and site-specific instructions in a clear location. On a large or remote property, workers may also need directions that emergency services can follow.
Check the outdoor lighting around entrances, steps and parking areas. Good lighting matters when workers leave early or return after dark.
It’s better to resolve a safety concern before the accommodation’s occupied.
7. Is the accommodation clean and ready to move into?
The accommodation should be clean, furnished and stocked with the basic items workers need from their first night. Inspect beds, mattresses, furniture, privacy coverings and insect screens. Remove anything left by previous occupants and provide clear instructions covering access, rubbish, water use and emergency contacts.
Walk through the accommodation as though you were arriving to live there.
Clean the kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and living areas. Remove dust, cobwebs, pests and anything left behind from the previous season.
Check the beds, mattresses and furniture. Make sure everything’s clean, stable and suitable for use.
Confirm that curtains or blinds provide privacy. Check that windows have working screens where they’re needed.
Stock the basic items workers will need when they arrive. These may include:
- Cleaning supplies
- Rubbish bags and bins
- Toilet paper
- Basic kitchen equipment
- Plates, cups and cutlery
- Bedding, where it’s provided
- Information about rubbish, water use and property access
Keep the instructions brief. Workers need to know how the accommodation operates, who to contact and what’s expected of them.
They don’t need a folder full of unnecessary rules.
A clean, organised space shows that the accommodation’s been prepared properly. It also sets a clear standard for how workers should look after it.
