April 17, 2019
Workplace Health and Safety inspectors are investigating an incident where a farm worker was fatally crushed by a planting machine.
The incident occurred last month, but WH&S has not disclosed where in Queensland it happened.
The worker was crushed by the wheels of a planting machine which was being towed by a tractor.
According to WHS Queensland, the worker was operating the tractor and, for reasons not yet established, got off while it was moving forward.
He then walked around the planting machine to its front wheel, where he was out of sight of the other six workers seated on the planting machine.
As the tractor crept forward without its operator, the worker became trapped under the wheel of the planting machine and was crushed.
Investigations are continuing.
WHS Queensland warned that operators of tractors should only climb on or off a tractor that is stopped.
Do not dismount from a tractor while the engine is running unless the transmission is in the neutral, or park position, and the parking brake is effectively engaged.
