Caution issued to New Zealand dairy industry following fatal incident in milking shed

In response to a recent fatal incident in a Waikato milking shed, WorkSafe New Zealand is urging the dairy industry to reconsider its use of slide pulsators.

A worker sustained fatal injuries after his clothes got caught in the rotating bar of a slide pulsator. The incident happened on July 27 in Morrinsville.

WorkSafe has indicated that it is in the initial stages of examining the circumstances, yet it possesses enough information to advise caution at this time.

“We are extremely concerned about the risk posed by exposed moving parts on slide pulsators, and urge farmers to check their set-up is safe or bring a specialist in for advice,” WorkSafe’s investigation manager, Paul West said.

“The risk of clothing entanglement is real, and steps need to be taken to manage that risk. Any rotating shafts that can catch clothing or body parts need as much protective guarding as possible, or to be replaced.”

Find further information here.