Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 16 December 2004

Warning on dangers at harvest time

WorkSafe has added its voice to the call for farmers to take every possible safety precaution during harvesting.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that safety was of utmost importance during this very busy period.

“Farmers face enormous pressure to get the job done quickly during harvest time, but I urge them not to let safety considerations slip,” Ms Lyhne said.

“We’re particularly concerned that safety measures are adhered to when working with heavy mobile machinery such as harvesters, trucks and tractors – especially when it comes to guarding of dangerous parts.

“Machinery safety should start with properly and safely maintaining the machinery, and should extend to the safe operation of that machinery.

“An 18-year-old farm worker was tragically killed last year when his clothing became entangled in the exposed rotating shaft of an auger he was using, and this should have served as a reminder to anyone working with machinery that they must take every precaution.”

Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke announced in July that rural safety advisors would be made available to farmers to provide information on how safety practices could be improved.

The State Government’s $100,000 funding for the strategy is enabling valuable group demonstrations and other consultations targeting all sectors of the rural community.

Demonstrations or farm walks aim to give farmers across the State a chance to understand the best safety practices and set new safety goals.

The WorkSafe strategy involves safety and health advisors visiting farms free of charge and helping farmers to conduct risk assessments and prepare safety and health action plans.

Injuries on Australian farms result in about 150 deaths, 6,500 admissions to hospital and about 6,000 workers’ compensation claims per year.

Since 1988, 37 workers have been killed on WA farms, representing around 10 per cent of the total fatalities over that time period.  The industry itself accounts for only five per cent of total employment in the State.

Manufacturers of machinery are legally required to make sure dangerous parts are safely guarded so operators are protected from injury, and operators are under an obligation to leave guards in place when machinery is being operated.

Farmers should regularly check for hazards relating to machinery guarding, particularly in older machines where extra moving parts may have been added or original guarding removed.

“Guarding is the oldest and most easily understood method for minimising the risk of injury to machine operators, and it has been required by occupational safety and health legislation for a long time,” Ms Lyhne said.

“Not only farmers, but everyone in the workplace is in danger of being injured by machinery and it is vital that everyone remains vigilant at all times around machines, especially during the very busy harvest season,” Ms Lyhne said.

Further information on the guarding of machinery and the Farm Safety Strategy can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.safetyline.wa.gov.au