Two agricultural workers killed in separate truck incidents

Two agricultural workers have been killed in less than 24 hours in separate incidents in country Victoria, according to a WorkSafe Victoria report.

A man in his mid-50s died after the spreader truck he was driving rolled down a hill at Limestone, south of Yea, at about 5 pm on Tuesday, 20 June. The man was spreading lime across the top of a steep hill when the vehicle rolled. The man was thrown from the cabin and crushed as the vehicle rolled down the hill.

A man in his 40s died after he fell from a stationary truck at an egg farm at Freshwater Creek near Geelong at around 9 am on Wednesday, 21 June. The man was loading manure into the truck when he fell from the vehicle.

WorkSafe Victoria is investigating both incidents.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Marnie Williams said the two deaths were tragic, and highlighted the need for every farm to make safety their number one priority.

“Agriculture employs just 3% of Victorian workers but accounts for almost 30% of all workplace deaths,” Williams said.

“These two incidents brings to eight the number of workplace fatalities on farms this year. This is a horrendous toll and is completely unacceptable.

“Using heavy machinery and working at height are often parts of the job, but it is important that everyone involved in agriculture — employers, employees and contractors — understand the risks associated with every task and manage them appropriately.”

The two fatalities brings to 13 the total number of workplace fatalities in Victoria this year, compared with 18 at the same time last year.

For more information on farm safety and working at heights, go to www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.