Farms make up only 10 per cent of Victorian workplaces, but they account for at least 25 per cent of all work related deaths. A major cause of death and injury on farms is machinery. Tractors alone cause around 11 per cent of workplace deaths in Victoria. A tractor can roll over and crush the driver. Hands, hair and clothing can be caught by unguarded power take-off shafts. People can be injured by front-end loaders, fall from a moving tractor or be struck by its wheels. These types of accidents can be prevented by keeping the tractor in good repair, fitting safety equipment (such as guards, safe access platforms and roll-over protection) and by operating the tractor safely at all times.
Safety measures
General safety suggestions include:
- Follow the manufacturers’ instructions for operation.
- Don’t remove or modify safety features.
- Ensure that everyone working on the farm is thoroughly familiar with operating procedures and safety requirements.
- Fit guards to cover the moving parts of machinery.
- Make sure that tractors are correctly ballasted or weighted for particular jobs.
- Fit a falling object protective structure on the front-end loader.
- Keep a well stocked first aid kit in an accessible area.
- Always use appropriate protective clothing.
Train workers thoroughly
Your farm is a workplace and you are responsible for the health and safety of workers and visitors. Inexperienced workers are much more likely to be injured in farm accidents. You can prevent injuries in many ways:
- Supervise inexperienced workers at all times.
- Make sure your workers are thoroughly trained in equipment operation and safety.
- Keep all equipment in good repair.
- Warn workers of potential hazards and insist they use equipment safely.
- Only allow a worker to perform a task when you are confident they can handle it.
- Keep visitors well away from operating machinery and warn them of potential hazards.
Safe tractor operation
Keep your tractor in good repair and immediately fix or replace faulty parts. Make detailed notes on services and repairs in a logbook, and do a general maintenance check on the tractor every day before use. Other safety suggestions include:
- Devise safety procedures that everyone must follow, such as only starting the tractor when sitting in the driver’s seat.
- Install roll-over protection (ROPS) and seatbelts.
- Don’t allow anyone to stand near the tractor when it’s being started.
- Don’t operate your tractor close to dams, pipes, drains and other potential hazards.
- Remember that tractors are more likely to tip when riding over hilly ground.
- Don’t allow passengers.
- Make sure that steps and control pedals are non-slip and kept clean.
Unguarded power take-off shafts are hazardous
All moving machinery parts should be guarded so that clothing, hair or fingers can’t get caught. Safety suggestions for power take-off shafts include:
- Guard the entire length of the shaft
- Anchor the shaft guard to stop it from rotating
- Enclose the joints with a guard
- Keep shields in place when using the tractor.
Protect children from tractor accidents
Children account for one in seven farm related fatalities. You can protect children from harm in many ways, including:
- Warn children of the hazards and make them aware of safety issues.
- Make sure that equipment storage areas are securely locked and inaccessible.
- Don’t leave running machinery unattended.
- Lower your tractor’s front-end loaders or three-point linkages after use.
- Don’t allow children to ride on the tractor.
Draw up an emergency plan
An emergency plan is vital. Some suggestions include:
- Ensure easy access to a suitable first aid kit
- Make sure at least one person on the farm is trained in first aid
- Keep emergency numbers next to the telephone
- Plan routes to the nearest hospital
- Regularly talk through your emergency plan
- Make sure your children understand what to do.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Victorian WorkCover Authority Tel. 1800 136 089
- Victorian Farm Safety Alliance Tel. (03) 9207 5513
- Victorian Farm Safety Training Centre Tel. (03) 5334 3510
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tel. (03) 9637 8000
- FarmSafe Australia Tel. (02) 6752 8210
- In an emergency, always call 000 for an ambulance.
Things to remember
- Common tractor accidents involve roll-overs, run-overs and unguarded power take-off shafts.
- Fit your tractor with roll-over protection (ROPS) and seatbelts.
- Ensure that everyone working on the farm is thoroughly familiar with operating procedures and safety requirements.
You might also be interested in:
Farm safety - all terrain vehicles.
Farm safety - children.
Farm safety - confined spaces.
Farm safety - handling animals.
Farm safety - handling chemicals.
Farm safety - manual handling.
Farm safety - sheep and shearing.
Farming is a dangerous job.
Workplace safety - noise pollution.
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