Machinery Hazards

  • Contractors are to check with management before operating equipment other than their own.

  • Staff are not to operate contractors' equipment without specific instruction to do so.

  • Vehicles such as trucks and motorbikes, but particularly tractors and quad bikes are high risk for rolling, collision, and loss of control.

    • Use the right vehicle for the job - only using quad bikes where necessary.

    • Avoid no-go areas as shown on the Hazard Map.

    • Only use vehicles you have been trained for.

    • Wear a helmet and sturdy footwear such as gumboots when riding motorbikes.


  • Mechanised equipment causes risk of injury from moving parts and blades, burns from hot exhaust or oil, and electrocution. This includes chainsaws, weed eater, line trimmer, and power tools.

    • Only use equipment you are trained for.

    • Start motors in an appropriate area - flat and uncluttered space.

    • Do not operate over head or feet. Use correct technique.

    • Turn motor off when not in use or putting down.

    • Operate on an earthed surface or with properly earthed equipment to reduce electrocution risk.

    • Keep the tool, cord, material and surface dry.

    • Use RCD device in case of electrocution.

    • Keep power connections insulated/wrapped and off the floor to minimise chances of a short.

    • When using cutting tools take care not to cut the cord.

    • Dispose of worn power cords.

    • When filling with petrol use correct technique to minimise chances of ignition (i.e. before opening the petrol tank touch it to safely discharge static).

    • Use appropriate safety gear.

      • Eye protection must be worn when cutting.

      • Use provided gloves, chaps and helmet when using chainsaw.

      • Wear sturdy enclosed footwear, preferably heavy leather boots.

      • Gloves and welding helmet must be used for welding.

      • Wear long sleeved clothes made of flame resistant material - cotton overalls are not flame resistant.

    • Keep limbs clear of moving and hot parts such as the motor.

    • Follow the manufacturers instructions for the use of the particular tool. For example:

      • Use the harness when weed whacking to avoid the exhaust burning your skin.

      • Use clamps and hammers when welding to avoid burns from the metal, including some distance away from the weld.

      • Use correct technique with the grinder to direct debris away from yourself and others.



  • Trailed plant and attachments can alter the performance of the towing vehicle due to extra weight or loss of traction of the trailer. Many are hydraulically powered and you should expect hydraulics to fail at any moment - for example when front end loader is up, or when monkey is up on the post driver. They usually have moving parts which pose a risk of entanglement or injury - particularly PTO shafts.

    • This category of machinery includes post driver, tractor trailer, PKE trailers, front end loader, mowers, silage wagon, car and bike trailers, urea spreader, silage grab, bale forks, tractor bucket, and spray unit.

    • Only use the machinery you are trained for.

    • Always use the appropriate PPE gear.

    • PKE trailers only to be towed by tractor or truck when full.

    • Use a heavy tractor for silage or urea.

    • Always have a safe runout option when towing the silage wagon in case it starts to slide. Attempt to regain traction by accelerating - this requires you to be in a lower gear to start with. Primary prevention is to avoid sloping areas with the silage wagon.

    • Always disengage the PTO and turn off the tractor before working on the silage wagon or PTO driven equipment including when attaching the PTO. Never wear loose clothing near the PTO. The safety guard must be in place - report to management immediately if it is missing.

    • Have two people to attach implements where adjustments are needed (i.e. post driver). One person to operate tractor and hydraulic controls and another to attach the implement and hydraulic ports. Keep limbs clear of the attachment while hydraulics are operating until the operator communicates that they are ready for the second person to attach the implement. Keep clear of the tractor and implement unless the tractor is in park.

    • Front end loaders and three point linkage attachments should always be lowered to the ground when the tractor is parked.

    • Two people are to operate spray unit when using hand gun due to PTO shaft risk.

    • Never operate tractor mower without safety cover.

    • Never mow when people are around.

    • Have two people to operate the post driver and keep the same role throughout the operation.


  • Keep centre of gravity as low as possible when driving on slopes.

      • Keep front end loader down unless driving on a public road in which case it should be high enough to avoid putting attachment through either car or truck windshield but mind overhead wires.

      • Keep to a safe speed - including on the flat. Majority of roll overs are on flat terrain for quad bikes and tractors.

      • Point bale forks down in transit.

      • Load vehicles with centre of gravity in mind.

      • Load vehicles within limits.

      • Consider and test effect of loading on braking. Heavier loads require more stopping distance and you need to anticipate this.

      • Consider and test effect of loading on handling. Heavy rear loads reduce traction on front wheel steering.

      • Consider alternative routes with gentler slopes or corners.

      • Liquids can move in transit or on slopes and alter your centre of gravity.

      • Use active riding on quad bikes to alter centre of gravity.

      • Maximum load of 30kg on the front of quad bikes and 60kg on the back.