Farmhand injured by front-end loader (13 February 2022)
A 22-year-old farmhand was preparing animal feed in the bucket of a front-end loader when the loader moved forward crushing the farmhand between it and the pallets of packaged mineral supplement.
Safety information
Machinery accounts for a high proportion of farm injuries or fatalities with tractor accidents being highly represented in farm injury and fatality statistics.
Implement ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks related to working with and around farm machinery.
Make sure:
- plant and machinery are inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
- any inspection, maintenance or testing is completed by a competent person, and recorded for future reference
- workers have the necessary training, experience and supervision to identify hazards, and control the risks associated with the uncontrolled movement and general operation of mobile plant.
Before operating mobile plant, you:
- must be trained and deemed competent to operate the mobile plant – make sure you understand the operating controls, and the manufacturer’s instructions on safe operation and maintenance
- should always conduct pre-start and operational safety checks to confirm the mobile plant is safe to operate, including testing braking systems.
Related information
- Managing the risks of plant in the workplace – SafeWork NSW Code of Practice
- Managing the risks of machinery in rural workplaces – SafeWork Australia
- The A-Z of farm safety – SafeWork NSW
- Farm machinery fact sheet – SafeWork NSW
- Refer to the Operators Manual – provided by the plant manufacturer
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