Injuries Associated with Posthole Diggers
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FARM MACHINERY INJURY Injuries associated with posthole diggers A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by J Miller, L Fragar and R Franklin Published September 2006 RIRDC Publication No 06/036 RIRDC Project No US-87A © Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety and Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved ISBN 1 74151 299 9 ISSN 1440-6845 Farm Machinery Injury: Injuries Associated with Posthole Diggers Publication No. 06/036 Project No. US-87A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable industries. The information should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Specialist and/or appropriate legal advice should be obtained before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this document. The Commonwealth of Australia, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the authors or contributors do not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from any person's use or reliance upon the content of this document. This publication is copyright. However, ACAHS and RIRDC encourage wide dissemination of their research providing that these organisations are clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction contact the RIRDC Production Manager on Ph 61 (0) 2 6272 3186 or the Manager on 61 (0)2 6752 8215. Research contact details L Fragar Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety University of Sydney PO Box 256 Moree NSW 2400 Australia Phone: 61 2 67528210 Fax 61 2 67526639 E-Mail: [email protected] RIRDC Contact details: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4218 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in September 2006 II Foreword Injury on farms and its prevention is a key issue for Australian agricultural and horticultural industries with the common causes of farm injury have been well documented in reports and papers. This report is one of a series of in-depth investigations into preventable risk factors associated with operation of specific items of farm machinery. Posthole diggers are found on many farms, although many are only operated on an infrequent basis as the need arises. This report establishes that most of these items of equipment have significant safety risks and a multifaceted approach to reducing risk of death and serious injury has been recommended. The report has been considered by the Farmsafe Australia Farm Machinery Safety Reference Group and action is being based on the report findings and the responses from Australian suppliers and operators. This project is funded by the RIRDC managed Joint Venture in Farm Health and Safety which is partnered by the Grains R&D Corporation, Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation Corporation, Cotton R&D Corporation, Sugar R&D Corporation and the Rural Industries R&D Corporation. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation III Acknowledgements Dr Lesley Day of the Monash University Accident Research Centre provided data from the 2001 Evaluation of Farm Injury Prevention in Victoria survey that has been included in this report. This contribution has been very useful to the report. The members of the Farmsafe Australia Farm Machinery Reference Group have provided invaluable assistance to the gathering of information for this report. The work of the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety is funded by NSW Health and the New England Area Health Service. IV Contents Foreword ...............................................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................................iv Executive Summary.............................................................................................................................vi 1. Aim......................................................................................................................................................1 2. Background........................................................................................................................................1 3. Method................................................................................................................................................3 4. Research results.................................................................................................................................4 4.1 Posthole Digger Designs...............................................................................................................................4 4.1.1. Tractor Mounted .......................................................................................................................................................5 4.1.2. Linkage Mounted......................................................................................................................................................5 4.1.3. Trailer Mounted ........................................................................................................................................................6 4.1.4. Other Mounting Systems..........................................................................................................................................6 4.1.5. Hand Operated and Adaptations ..............................................................................................................................7 4.1.6. Post Drivers...............................................................................................................................................................7 4.2 Injury Data. ....................................................................................................................................................9 4.2.1. Case data....................................................................................................................................................................9 5. Risk Factors .....................................................................................................................................10 5.1 Operator risk factors....................................................................................................................................10 5.1.1. Age ..........................................................................................................................................................................10 5.1.2. Gender .....................................................................................................................................................................12 5.1.3. Clothing...................................................................................................................................................................13 5.1.4. Work practice..........................................................................................................................................................14 5.1.5. Training ...................................................................................................................................................................14 5.2 Risk factors relating to the machine............................................................................................................14 5.3 Environmental risk factors ..........................................................................................................................16 5.4 Injury outcomes ...........................................................................................................................................17 6. Options for Risk Reduction...........................................................................................................19 6.1. Elimination options.........................................................................................................................................19 6.2. Substitution options....................................................................................................................................19 6.3. Engineering/ design options.......................................................................................................................20 6.3.1. Machine Design.......................................................................................................................................20 6.3.2. Guarding..................................................................................................................................................................20 6.3.3. Auger Design ..........................................................................................................................................................22 6.3.4. Controls. ..................................................................................................................................................................23 6.3.5. Machine