Launch of National Farm Safety Week/tractor safety booklet

12/7/93

Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan today referred to tractors as the most dangerous piece of machinery on farms.

Mr Cowan, the Acting Minister for Primary Industry, was launching National Farm Safety Week in Western Australia, and also releasing a free booklet on farm tractor safety produced by the Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (DOHSWA).

He said workplace fatalities were particularly tragic on farms because they usually affected family members living on the property.

"Research shows that many farmers become over-familiar with tractors and tend to make unsafe short cuts," he said.

"These are the kinds of work practices that have to change in order to reduce the toll of death and injuries involving farm tractors," he said.

The new booklet - entitled 'Safe Use of Farm Tractors' - recommends safe procedures for commonly performed tractor tasks. Some examples are:

·         There is a safe side and an unsafe side when mounting and dismounting a tractor.  The left side is safer, as the right side is crowded with controls that may be released accidentally.

·         To be effective, every tractor with a rollover protective structure or cab should also be fitted with a seatbelt and a seat with a secure back support in case of a rollover or back-flip

·         Any passenger must have a separate seat, seatbelt, back support, footrests and hand holds and be positioned within the protective umbrella of the cab or rollover protective structure.    

·         Back-flipping, a major cause of tractor deaths, is usually caused by incorrect hitching and by attempting to tow overweight loads.

·         A bogged tractor can back-flip if the rear wheels become jammed and cannot turn forward.  Backing out is the only safe way.

·         The danger of a tractor overturning is greatly increased on hills, sloping ground and uneven terrain.

·         Tall farming machinery can be instantly fatal if it touches overhead powerlines.  Even being a metre away from a high voltage line can cause a fatal flashover.

'Safe Use of Farm Tractors' can be obtained free of charge from DOSHWA, 1260 Hay Street, West Perth, (phone 09-327-8777).

Media contact: Will Henwood 222-9595