Bogged farm machinery fatality (18 June 2022)
A 33-year-old farmer sustained fatal head injuries during the extraction of a bogged bulldozer at his neighbour’s farm in Regional NSW. He had been assisting his neighbour with the extraction when one of the two D-Shackles connecting the recovery strap failed and was propelled through the glass door of the bulldozer.
An example of bogged farm machinery.
Safety information
There have been multiple fatal incidents involving the extraction of bogged agricultural plant in NSW over the past 12 months. The incidents involved the failure and subsequent propulsion of recovery straps and/or equipment through the windscreen of the plant during the attempted extraction.
Farming accounts for one in every five worker deaths. Reduce the risk to workers and others involved in vehicle and farm equipment recovery by:
- assessing the work environment and conditions prior to commencing work
- avoid using vehicles and farm equipment if there is a likelihood of becoming bogged
- postpone the work until conditions improve
- creating an exclusion zone around the vehicle or piece of equipment during the recovery activity
- only the vehicle operator and those necessary in the recovery should be allowed inside the exclusion zone
- ensure an effective communication method is established between them (voice, radio, hand signals)
- ensuring anyone within the exclusion zone is standing at 90 degrees to the axis of the tow line
- do not stand at either end of the tow line as you are at higher risk of injury if the tow line breaks
- only using straps and attachments that are correctly rated for the weight and type of work involved
- using a recovery damper to reduce the force of the recoil and risk of injury if the recovery line does break
- only using anchor points on vehicles and machinery approved by the manufacturer
- aborting the extraction of the bogged vehicle or equipment if things are not going to plan
- choosing plant with laminated glass and external structural protection where available
- consult the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for tougher glass options and operator cabin protection in mobile plant
- only using well maintained and approved equipment in line with the manufacturer’s instructions
- performing a risk assessment before attempting any vehicle or equipment recovery
- ensuring you have an emergency procedure in place.
Related guidance material
- Managing the risks of plant in the workplace – Code of Practice (PDF, 1987.96 KB)
- Safety around your vehicle (SAYV) glove box guide
- WHS duties in the agricultural industry – Safe Work Australia