July 25, 2025
WorkSafe Queensland has issued an alert about serious safety issues with some privately imported new or used tractors.
The alert warns that tractors are being imported into Australia through websites that may claim the vehicle is fully compliant with health and safety standards.
However, when the tractor arrives, it does not meet the requirements for new tractors sold in Australia.
These include:
- Missing safety switches which prevent the tractor from being started while in gear, with the power take-off is engaged or without the operator sitting in the operator’s seat. Tractors from reputable manufacturers have been fitted with ignition safety switches since the early 1980s. The risk of someone being run over by a tractor is significantly greater when its ignition is not fitted with a safety switch.
- Hydraulic hoses and valve bodies for four-in-one attachments located inside the cabin which can cause the operator to be struck by pressurised hydraulic fluid if a line or fitting ruptures.
- Roll-over protections that can fail if the tractor rolls.
- No seat belt fitted on the operator’s seat.
- Auto levelling not provided on the front-end loader attachment. Auto levelling prevents a load falling backwards out of a bucket and on to the operator when the bucket is raised to its full height
- Poor labelling of controls, without correct symbols and/or not in English.
The alert emphasises that tractors used in workplaces must meet relevant health and safety legislation or employers risk serious fines.
People who import individual tractors for private use should be aware that tractors without safety features could place themselves, family and friends at an unnecessary risk of serious injury or death.
