Farmer killed after being struck by tractor in western Victoria

A 64-year-old farmer has died after being struck by a tractor in western Victoria on Saturday. He had been baling hay when the fatal incident occurred, and emergency crews later located him on a gully track with significant injuries to his legs and pelvis at about 11:30pm.

Here is the short version for anyone scanning: an experienced operator, a routine seasonal task, a heavy machine with an attachment fitted — and one more preventable rural fatality now under investigation.

What we know so far

Reports indicate the man was operating a tractor coupled to a baling implement before he was found in the gully. Paramedics could not revive him at the scene.

Regulators confirmed inspectors travelled to the property. WorkSafe reported that investigators were present, examining the machine, ground conditions and how the attachment had been used.

According to WorkSafe data, two workers in the state have already lost their lives on the job this year.

Why this news matters for agriculture

Agriculture consistently records one of the highest fatality rates of any Australian industry, and mobile plant is the leading contributor. Each news report involving a rollover, runover or entanglement reinforces how quickly a familiar job such as baling can turn deadly.

Runovers of the driver, side rollovers on uneven ground, and contact with rotating power take-off shafts account for most deaths linked to these machines. Ageing fleets, sole operators and remote paddocks compound every risk.

Tractor safety on Australian farms

The most reliable way to prevent a fatality is to combine a well-maintained machine, a competent operator and documented safety controls that match the task. Practical measures endorsed by Safe Work Australia include:

• Rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts fitted, maintained and worn on every unit.
• Pre-start inspections covering brakes, steering, hydraulics, guarding and the coupled implement.
• PTO and driveline guards in place before any baler, slasher or mower is engaged.
• Shutdown procedure — engine off, key removed, moving parts stopped — before clearing a blockage or adjusting equipment.
• Exclusion zones that keep bystanders, children and other plant clear during operation.
• Route planning that avoids steep gullies, soft edges, embankments and unstable soil.
• Communication checks at agreed intervals for anyone alone in distant paddocks, plus a documented emergency response plan.
• Verified competency for each operator, including refresher training whenever new implements arrive.

Written procedures matter because they translate experience into repeatable steps. A Safe Work Method Statement records the hazards, the agreed controls and the person responsible, protecting the wellbeing and safety of everyone on the property.

Related tractor incident news

• Man killed after being hit by a tractor
• Farmer dies after being struck by tractor north of Perth
• Farmer killed by tractor in Northern Victoria

Documented controls you can use today

SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture publishes editable templates written by qualified practitioners and reviewed against current legislation. Producers and contractors running agricultural plant commonly rely on:

• Tractor Operation SWMS — hazards, controls and sign-off for general machine use.
• Tractor – Mounted Slasher SWMS — guarding, ejected objects and terrain hazards.
• Architectural SWMS Pack for Victoria — a bundled option for state-based projects.

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Read the original news article here.