Three tractor deaths under investigation

Three separate tractor incidents leading to worker deaths are being investigated by WorkSafe Victoria.

All workplaces are being urged to prioritise safety, after three men were killed by tractors in one week.

A 47-year-old man died in hospital after an incident near Wangaratta, a 53-year-old man was run over by a tractor at a winery in the Yarra Valley and a 68-year-older farmer was seriously injured when he was struck by a tractor while undertaking maintenance work on his farm near Geelong.

“Tractors are an important farm tool, but they are involved in more farm fatalities in Victoria than any other piece of equipment,” said WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Marnie Williams.

“It is critical that safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds when working with or around tractors.”

Everyone engaged in work on farms must be provided with appropriate training and instruction to ensure their safety, especially during busy times such as the grape harvest.

In addition, making sure that on-farm equipment such as tractors and other vehicles are properly maintained is also important.

“Workplaces must review their safety processes and ensure all hazards are identified and either removed or controlled,” said Williams.

Tractor safety tips include:

• Ensure tractors are properly maintained, particularly making sure that brakes and park brakes are working.
• When performing maintenance such as checking batteries, do not jump-start a tractor while at ground level to prevent rolling and ensure the handbrake is on and the tractor is out of gear.
• Ensure all workers receive appropriate induction and training on the work they are to be involved in and that a register of training and induction is maintained on file.
• Implement an effective communication system between tractor operators, transport contractors and ground staff.
• Ensure employees and contractors know what to do in the event of an emergency and have appropriate communication tools to alert emergency services, such as a satellite phone and emergency contacts.

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