All farms need to manage the risks of injury that come with using agricultural plant and machinery. Understanding your farm tasks and the equipment involved helps you better manage risks in everyday operations.
Managing risks
Arrange regular inspections for all machines and powered equipment by a competent person who is familiar with the hazards and work practices associated with agricultural plant.
Service, maintain and repair your equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications by:
- conducting pre-start checks
- ensuring a competent person undertakes maintenance
- tagging and locking out plant being worked on
- ensuring plant is isolated and stored energy is released.
Tractors
Tractors are among the most hazardous vehicles used on farms. Even experienced operators are at risk if safe systems of work are not followed. To reduce the likelihood of injury or fatal incidents:
- always wear a seat belt where fitted
- fit a roll-over protective structure (ROPS) and falling object protective structure (FOPS) to protect the operator
- avoid parking on steep slopes
- check clearance of overhead power lines.
Quad bikes
Used widely on farms, quad bikes are a leading cause of fatalities on farming properties in Australia. Most serious injuries occur when a quad bike rolls sideways, backwards or forwards, trapping or crushing the rider underneath.
An overturned quad bike can weigh up to 400 kg and many fatalities occur when riders are trapped underneath the weight of the bike restricting their breathing. Fitting an ROPS can help reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury.
Before using a quad bike, consider whether it is the most suitable vehicle for the task. A side by side, ute or tractor may be more appropriate for some work. If using a quad bike:
- wear a helmet when riding
- fit an ROPS
- carry loads in accordance with the operator’s manual
- avoid uneven, steep and muddy terrain
- provide operator training.
Guarding
Agricultural plant can expose workers to serious hazards, including contact with moving parts, entrapment between machinery or materials and impact from objects ejected during operation.
Ensure guarding is in place where plant components are within reach and present a risk during operation, maintenance or adjustment. Effective guarding includes the following controls:
- use guards to prevent access to hazardous moving parts
- operate augers only when guarding is correctly fitted
- ensure hoppers with auger screws are guarded
- never remove or bypass guards while plant is operating
- train workers in safe work procedures relating to guarding.