Contracting Safety

All machinery requires training records before use. 

Adhere to speed limits on individual farms up to a limit of 40kph.

Vehicle and Machinery Key Points

• Do you have a run out? How bad will it be if you start sliding? Risk is both the likelihood and consequence of an incident.

• Tired? Stop and organise a relief driver. Ensure you maximise sleep during down time.

• Listen to your gut. Consciously manage hazards while operating machinery.

• Weekly maintenance checks are carried out by operators and recorded on the maintenance sheet.

• Roads around the district are gravel surfaced which can cause a vehicle to slide around corners. Keep speeds low and anticipate sliding on loose gravel. If you inadvertently enter a slide keep driving through it and resist the instinct to brake.

• Vehicle recovery procedure: if towing a vehicle out of mud use a rated strop or wire rope because they fray as a warning that they are about to snap. Do not use chains as they snap suddenly and are much heavier if they end up flying through your cab. Don't tow from a tow bar - only use proper tow points as tow bars are not designed for vehicle recovery loads and can snap off under tension.

• Tractor wheels - store laying flat on a pallet or timber to keep it off the ground but unable to fall on children.

• Any heavy objects that may fall on people need to be secured - post drivers, workshop shelves, mole ploughs etc.

• Tractors - use only as trained and approved. Always check for birds nest. Be familiar with areas to dangerous, steep or soft to take tractor - refer to hazard map.

• Utes - use within limits. This is the vehicle most likely to slide in wet conditions, particularly on wet cow lanes.

• Tip trailers - don't move while tipping. Don't use quick hitch. Use a safety chain and hook directly onto draw bar.

• Mowers - turn tractor off before working on mower or PTO. Only use if PTO is guarded. Check blades before use.

• Front end loader - always check bucket/grab/fork is attached and locked before driving off. Ensure legal overhang or use flags when driving on road.

• Post rammer - use hearing protection and never put hands on post.

• Drills - use front end loader or other lifting mechanisms to load drills but don't get under bag of seed or fertiliser.

• Roller and cultivation equipment has a lot of pinch points. Passengers are not to ride the three point linkage.

Communication

• Consider where there is cell or UHF reception. Note the location of cell reception when starting the job so you know where you have to get to in an emergency.

• Talk to farmers to establish hazards, especially wet areas, and let the rest of your team know.

• Make farmers aware of the hazards of your operation. 

• Plan to reduce the risks identified.