Tractors are the most dangerous piece of farm equipment. Every year workers are killed, and many more seriously injured, from incidents involving tractors. Two recent farming fatalities have highlighted the importance of maintaining tractor braking systems and ensuring operators never attempt to enter a moving tractor.
In both incidents the farmers had dismounted their tractor whilst undertaking hay baling activities. When their tractors rolled after they exited the tractor, both farmers attempted to re-enter the tractor resulting in them being pulled under the wheel and killed.
In one incident, the handbrake was faulty. In the other incident, the handbrake was not fully engaged. Handbrakes are tested to hold the tractor on a specific angle and may not be effective over a certain angle/slope. Poorly maintained or not fully engaged braking systems can also contribute to fatal injuries.
Inspections, servicing and maintenance all play an important role in ensuring that tractors are in a safe condition to operate. If any issue is detected the tractor should be removed from use until repairs can be made.
Wherever possible tractors should be parked on flat ground. Any implements or attachments should be lowered to the ground, the transmission disengaged and the parking brake fully engaged. The engine should be shut off where possible before exiting the tractor.
Fitting handbrake alarms will ensure that the operator is alerted to a mis- or non-applied handbrake before leaving their seat. Carrying wheel chocks for use on slopes will ensure that the tractor remains stationary when parked.
Agriculture makes up just two percent of Victoria's workforce but regularly accounts for about 10% of all workplace deaths. About 70% of these farming deaths over the last five years have involved farm machinery.
WorkSafe publishes resources for farmers to keep your business running safely and efficiently so that everyone on the farm can return home safely each day:
- Safe use of tractors with attachments: A handbook for workplaces
- Tractors | WorkSafe Victoria
- Farm machinery | WorkSafe Victoria
- Plant, machinery and equipment | WorkSafe Victoria
- Plant: Safety basics | WorkSafe Victoria
- Compliance code: Plant
Read more: Fatal incidents highlight the risk of attempting to enter a moving tractor | WorkSafe Victoria