Issue Date:  -  Monday, 6 September 2004

Hay making and harvesting hazards, reminder to farmers

WorkSafe is reminding farmers to assess potential hazards now, before the season starts.

Many deaths and injuries in the farming sector involve heavy machinery, machine guarding, fatigue and improper use of equipment.

The securing of loads is also a potential killer, warned WorkSafe Commissioner Nina Lyhne today.

Haymaking machinery operators, drivers and the people who load transport vehicles have an obligation to be aware of their safety responsibilities.

A 28 year old farmer was killed in May this year when a 860kg bale of hay fell from the back of a truck being loaded. The load was overhanging the rear of the truck and while it was being secured, it fell, crushing the farmer to death.

Earlier this year a truck driver was severely injured when a 750kg bale of hay fell from the back of a truck that was being unloaded.

"These two incidences highlight several important lessons for those transporting loads of hay and workers involved in the hay making in general, " Commissioner Nina Lyhne said.

"Farmers need to look at all their procedures for hay making and ensure that they have identified potential hazards and taken action to minimize the risk."

Most items of hay making equipment have many moving parts and are extremely dangerous in the hands of inexperienced and untrained people.

Ensuring that equipment is well maintained, properly guarded and serviced regularly and workers are adequately trained in the use and servicing of equipment is crucial.

Designating an exclusion zone around working areas and providing safety training to all workers, to help minimize risks, is also very important.

"Hay and grain harvesting present many occupational safety and health challenges," Commissioner Lyhne said.

"Farmers should thoroughly review methods of operation, now, before the season starts, to make sure safe working procedures are in place."

WorkSafe resources available include:

* The 15-minute farm safety checklist

* Guidance Note: Safe movement of vehicles at workplaces

* SIS: Truck driver injured by falling bay of hale (8/2004)

* SIS: Worker fatally injured by hay baling machine (9/2002); and

* Farm Safety Fact Sheets on - manual handling, fire fighting, farm noise, grain movement and storage, electrical, farm chemical, agricultural bike and tractor safety.

For copies go to www.safetyline.wa.gov.au <http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au> or call 9327 8755.