A Summary of Fatal Injury Surveillance Methods in Australian Agriculture and Their Impact on Safety Policies and Practices

Figures & data

Table 1. Examples of the use of fatal injury data to support safety improvements.

Agent	Issue	Response	Outcome
Tractors	Events involving tractor rollovers were the leading agent of fatal injury.	Regulatory requirements mandated that all tractors must be fitted with a Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS). Concurrently, state jurisdictions offered financial incentives for the fitment of ROPS to tractors.	The number of tractor fatalities involving a rollover have reduced by more than 70% over a 30-year period.^Citation31 Of the 88 tractor deaths in the 1989–92 period, 48 involved a rollover. In 2001–04, this reduced to 74 incidents with 25 being rollovers. Most recently (2018–21), there were 44 deaths with nine involving rollovers.
Grain augers	The outer mesh guards on augers were being removed and not replaced as they impeded grain flow and caused blockages, increasing the risk of entanglement with the auger flight.	A new and more practical Grain Auger Industry Standard (2008)^Citation36 was developed along with guidance to fitting the guard.^Citation37	Fatal incidents have dropped from six (1989–92), to four (2001–04) and one (2018–21).
Quads (ATVs)	The data clearly indicated a greater risk of rollover in work-related fatalities for farmers compared to recreational use.	The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) developed and introduced (October 2020), a new Quad Bike Safety Standard to require improved vehicle design (lateral stability/Operator Protection Devices).^Citation38	Work-related deaths have reduced from 33 in the 2001–04 period, to 31 in 2010–13 and 23 in 2020–23.*

*Data on quads (ATVs) are only available from 2001, plus the data for 2023 are current through to 30 June 2023.

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WorkCover NSW. Grain augers - industry safety standard. Sydney;2008. Available from: https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/atoms/files/grain_augers.pdf ,

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Temperley J, Fragar L. Guarding grain augers - a guide to fitting a more practical guard. Moree: ACAHS; 2008. Available from: https://aghealth.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/guarding_grain_auger_guide.pdf

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Commonwealth of Australia. Consumer goods (quad bikes) safety standard 2019. Canberra; 2019. Available from: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2021C00608

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