National campaign to prevent the sale of unsafe rural equipment

Photo: Mark Burgin.

In a concerted effort to reduce the risk of hazardous rural equipment entering the marketplace, Australia's workplace health and safety bodies are banding together for a national audit campaign.

The audit will target manufacturers, suppliers and importers of agricultural plant, particularly those involved in tractors, agricultural attachments, all terrain vehicle (ATV) accessories and grain augers.

The audit, which started in September, will involve inspectors visiting nearly 750 businesses across Australia, including 200 in Queensland. It is the first ever coordinated audit of rural equipment manufacturers, suppliers and importers in Australia.

Principal Rural Advisor Keith Ferguson said the campaign is about using early intervention to reduce the number of incidents on Australian farms.

'This audit aims to help reduce plant-related injuries by ensuring manufacturers, suppliers and importers are delivering safe machinery and equipment to their customers,' Mr Ferguson said.

'Traditionally, the users of rural plant have been the target of our activities. However this audit recognises that manufacturers, suppliers and importers are also a key part of the safety equation.

'As this is the first audit of its kind in Australia, our key focus will be on gauging the level of compliance in the industry and helping educate businesses on their safety obligations.

'Rural plant safety is a national concern, particularly as plant is often bought and sold interstate. This audit will help ensure manufacturers, suppliers and importers in all states are meeting standardised safety requirements.'

Rural producers also need to be aware that if they modify, build or sell plant and equipment they are subject to the same legal obligations as commercial manufacturers and suppliers.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland conducted free seminars throughout the State from 23 August – 2 September to help manufacturers, suppliers and importers understand their obligations.

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