Farmer dies, others hurt - now is the time to think, plan, act

 A farmer aged in his mid 70s died at the weekend, several hundred metres from home, when he was run-over by the rear wheels of a tractor.

He was found when family members came looking for him.

WorkSafe is investigating the incident which happened on Saturday at a grazing property on Bahgallah Road, Bahgallah, south-west of Casterton.

The director of WorkSafe Victoria’s Manufacturing, Logistics and Agriculture Division, Ross Pilkington, said the incident was a tragedy for the man’s family and the local community.

“Our thoughts go out to them at the same time as we ask all farm workers to take this incident as a warning.

“For many in rural Victoria, it is the busiest time of year. They’re harvesting, cutting hay and reducing fuel loads for fire-breaks.

“While the precise cause of Saturday’s incident may never be known because the farmer was working on his own, WorkSafe has dealt with many similar matters over the years.

“It is essential that tractors, vehicles and other equipment is made as safe as possible through proper maintenance, and if they are stopped, that brakes are applied even on relatively flat ground.

“Too many people rely on the fact that they had always worked in a particular way, and survived without incident.

“That’s no guarantee that you’ll make it home. If you’ve had poor safety habits, you may just have been lucky up to now.”

Mr Pilkington said tightening economic times coupled with the current busy period meant there was no room for taking shortcuts.

“Now is the time to be innovative. Understand what you’re dealing with and think about what’s being put at risk by saving a couple of seconds work or a few dollars.

Mr Pilkington also warned against people working under machinery or vehicles without them being properly chocked or supported.

“This year, including in the past few weeks, there have been a number of deaths and serious injuries where people have been run-over when vehicles have moved or when machinery has shifted while undergoing maintenance.

“At Warragul in West Gippsland last week, a contractor had two legs broken when clearing a blockage on a hay baler. A week earlier, in the state’s north, another man received crushing injuries when working on a header.

“What people need to understand very clearly is that hydraulic plant basically stores energy. When that energy is released, so is the power. If you’re in the way, it’s going to be stronger than you – that’s why we use machines.

“Stop and think before you release the stored energy. Unless objects that can move are immobilised or supported, they can kill or leave you out of action for a long time.

“You don’t want that to happen when there’s work to be done.”

More detail here http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/SiteTools/News/

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