SA farm business releases safety video after skid steer loader incident

SA Farm Business Releases Safety Video After Skid Steer Loader Incident

A video highlighting the importance of farm safety has been released in South Australia after a skid steer loader incident left a worker with multiple fractures.

The short video was produced by a farming business following the 2020 incident, which occurred while operating a skid steer loader on the property. Early this year, SafeWork SA accepted an enforceable undertaking (EU) from the farm business as part of its response to the incident.

What the Enforceable Undertaking Requires

SafeWork SA said, "Under the terms of the EU, it agreed to spend $13,000 on a work health and safety management system audit of the farm by a competent WHS Auditor."

This commitment reflects a broader effort within the agricultural sector to strengthen safety practices following incidents involving heavy machinery. Farming operations that rely on plant equipment such as skid steer loaders face ongoing hazardous conditions, particularly when operators lack adequate training or supervision.

Safety documentation, including a Bobcat/Skid-Steer Loader Operation SWMS, provides farm businesses with structured guidance for safe machinery operation. Establishing clear procedures before work begins helps reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring on farms across the country.

Why This Video Matters for Farm Safety

Releasing this footage gives other farm businesses practical information on the risks associated with skid steer loaders and the value of proactive safety measures. Sharing lessons learned from a serious incident supports a wider culture of accountability across the farming sector.

Similar cases have highlighted ongoing risks within Australian agriculture. A man died after a farm incident in northern Victoria, while another Victorian farm faced court proceedings after a fatal workplace incident. These cases, alongside a separate report of a worker dying after an incident at an NSW solar farm, underscore why robust safety systems remain essential wherever heavy machinery operates.

Building Stronger Safety Systems on Farms

Farm businesses across manufacturing, agriculture and related industries can strengthen their approach to work health and safety by investing in audits, training and documented procedures. SafetyDocs offers resources tailored to manufacturing and automotive operations where similar plant and equipment risks apply.

For businesses seeking further guidance on implementing safety management systems or accessing templates suited to their operations, our support team can help identify the right documents for specific work environments.

Read the full story and watch the short video here.