Farmworker killed after harvester hits powerlines

Pineapple farmworker killed after harvester hits powerlines.  

A 25-year-old man was tragically killed last Wednesday morning on a pineapple farm near Yeppoon when a harvester connected with overhead powerlines.

The man was in critical condition and taken to the Capricorn Coast Hospital in Yeppoon but died shortly after. Six other people suffered electric shocks and were also taken to the Capricorn Coast Hospital and the Rockhampton Hospital after the accident. All were in a stable condition.

The accident is under investigation by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the state's Electrical Safety Office. Ergon Energy advised they had made the area safe and are assisting with the investigation.

The pineapple farm had previously been investigated when a worker was severely injured in 2016 after falling off a makeshift roofing platform made from a forklift and a fruit bin. In 2018 Workplace Health and Safety Queensland successfully prosecuted and fined the then co-owner of the business, $20,000 for breaching the Work Health and Safety Accident Act, and he was ordered not to offend against the Act for 12 months.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

The original article can be viewed on the ABC News website.

Spotlight on kids safety on farms and practices putting them at risk.  

Farmsafe Australia's National Farm Safety week is shining the spotlight on children's safety on farms. Nearly one in five fatalities on farms are children under the age of 15, and more than half of those occurred while there was no active adult supervision at the time.

This year's campaign, Farm Safety Through the Ages – From 2 to 92, focuses on the importance of adopting more effective risk management practices to protect the next generation of farmers.

'Farm safety is about better childhood education that explains to our kids why they are unable to participate in certain activities or be situated in specific areas of the farm. By setting clear and consistent boundaries, such as safe play areas, 'no-go zones' and instilling a 'safety always' culture, farming families can immediately improve the environmental safety at every stage of growth, without dampening the enjoyment of a rich farming lifestyle,' said Stevi Howdle, Executive Officer at Farmsafe Australia.

'We need to allow kids to be kids on farms, while ensuring they're as safe as possible. It's a real balance.'

For more information on farm safety practices, visit www.farmsafe.org.au.

The original article can be viewed on the Farm Safety Australia website.