WA farm worker hospitalised after being trapped in potato harvester

WA Farm Worker Hospitalised After Being Trapped in Potato Harvester

A farmworker is recuperating in hospital following a farming incident in WA's Wheatbelt region. The man was seriously injured after becoming trapped by his leg in a potato harvester at a Dandaragan farm on Wednesday morning.

Emergency services were called to the farm at around 10am. The man was freed from the machinery and flown to Royal Perth Hospital, where staff are treating him for his injuries.

WorkSafe has launched an investigation to determine the cause behind the incident, with findings expected to guide future risk prevention measures for similar equipment operations.

Why Potato Harvesters Pose a Serious Safety Risk

Potato harvesters contain multiple moving parts, including conveyor belts, rollers and digging mechanisms, that create entrapment hazards for operators and nearby personnel. Every farm relying on this equipment carries an inherent risk that demands rigorous safety protocols.

This incident echoes other recent cases, such as the Adelaide worker hospitalised after being trapped in machinery and the tragic outcome detailed in worker dies after being trapped in machinery at Katanning. Both incidents highlight a persistent safety concern across WA's agricultural sector.

Reducing Risk on Farms: What Employers Should Consider

Farm operators can lower risk exposure through several practical steps:

• Conducting regular safety inspections of harvesting equipment before each shift
• Ensuring guards and emergency stop mechanisms remain fully functional
• Providing thorough training on machinery operation and lockout procedures
• Establishing clear communication protocols during equipment maintenance

A robust worker contractor manual outlining these procedures helps ensure consistency across farm operations, reducing safety gaps that often lead to preventable injuries.

Supporting Injured Workers

Beyond immediate emergency response, farms should maintain accurate documentation for injured personnel. Tools such as a first aid worker register and an isolated worker communication log support faster incident response and clearer records for subsequent investigations.

Similar concerns arose following the worker hospitalised after industrial incident at Otago poultry farm, reinforcing that agricultural safety risk isn't confined to any single commodity or region.

Building a Safer Farming Sector

Preventing entrapment incidents requires ongoing commitment from every level of a farming operation. A documented worker agreement policy combined with clear safety expectations gives employers a strong foundation for protecting personnel around heavy machinery.

As WorkSafe's investigation continues, this incident serves as a reminder that consistent safety oversight remains essential wherever powerful farm equipment operates.

Read the original article on the ABC News website.