Rural plant code of practice under review

The Rural Plant Code of Practice 2004 is under review and will consider what changes are needed to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose and supports the agriculture industry to meet legislative obligations and ensure worker safety.

Farm machinery has the potential to kill and maim; the risk of fatalities and incidents in rural workplaces is real. In the past five years there have been 67 work-related fatalities in the agricultural, forestry and fishing industry in Queensland. This includes 30 (45%) involving a vehicle or some sort of mobile plant, eight of these involving a quad bike (12%).

While not limited to the below key issues, the review will consider updates to the code in order to address:

• tractor roll over protection
• quad bikes and side by side-by-side vehicles
• electrical risks
• isolation and fatigue
• technological advancements.

Public consultation will commence shortly, with an opportunity to provide written submissions. Further information will be published shortly on the Queensland Government’s Get Involved website.