Tractor roll over fatality (19 April 2023)
A 40-year-old worker died when the tractor he was driving rolled shortly after crossing a cattle grid in Western NSW.
The road and cattle grid, where the incident occured.
Safety information
Farmers and farm workers are at risk of fatal or serious injury operating or working with tractors, implements and attachments.
Ensure:
Consider these ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with tractors:
- before using a tractor with an attachment consider the risks to the operator, machine and environment in which it will operate
- attachments used on the tractor are:
- designed for the task being carried out
- installed and secured to the item of plant in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
- suitable for the load being moved or lifted
- regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- tractors between 560 and 15,000 kgs must be fitted with an approved Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS)
- seat belts should be worn at all times when operating a tractor
- tractor operators are trained and competent in the correct use of the tractor and any attachments, and have access to all relevant safety information provided by the manufacturer.
Related guidance material
- Managing the risks of plant in the workplace - Code of Practice (PDF, 1987.96 KB)
- Virtual Farm Safety
- The A-Z of farm safety guide – SafeWork NSW (PDF, 5673.78 KB)
- Safety around your tractor (PDF, 1674.31 KB)
- General guide for managing the risks of machinery in rural workplaces - Safe Work Australia
- Farm Safety Advisory Program