Managing the risks of bogged farm machinery

Risks

Farm machinery that can become bogged (stuck in mud, wet ground or soft sand) includes:

• utes
• tractors
• harvesters
• trucks

Not using proper safety precautions to recover bogged machinery can cause serious injury or death. Chains, cables, shackles or attachment points may break and whip back. This can shatter machinery cabin windows, striking operators or bystanders.

Not all boggy ground may be wet. Sandy hills may also create boggy conditions for machinery. For example, trucks that continually drive over the same path, especially when harvesting broadacre crops.

Controlling risks

Eliminate or reduce the risk of injury or death by following the hierarchy of control.

Avoid getting bogged

Taking steps to prevent your farm machinery from getting bogged is the best risk control. Avoid getting bogged by:

• Assessing ground conditions before entering areas where there may be boggy ground. For example:
  • inspect on foot or in a lighter vehicle
  • use a drone to inspect the field from the air
• Completing other tasks until the risk of becoming bogged reduces.
• Telling contractors and employees where boggy areas are. Do this by using maps or annotating photos taken by a drone.
• Creating exclusion zones to prevent access to boggy areas. For example, use geo-fencing or temporary barricades.
• Planning the location of field bins and chaser bins so semi-trucks face downhill and towards the gate or exit to the road.
• Minimising trucks turning when they are fully loaded, especially on sandy hills. This can increase the likelihood of dragging the trailer, spinning the wheels and becoming bogged.

It may not be possible to avoid becoming bogged. You can reduce the risks involved in recovering bogged farm machinery by being prepared.

Be prepared

Before using farm machinery in areas where there is a risk of becoming bogged, you should prepare by:

• Identifying the location and condition of the recovery points on the farm machinery. This information should be in the machine's operator manual.
• Knowing the weight of the farm machinery, both empty and when loaded. Check for additional weight such as toolboxes, long-range fuel tanks and heavy accessories. Ensure the factory recovery points are appropriate for the additional weight of your machine.
• Having a competent person design and install appropriate recovery points if the farm machinery does not come with these. For example, large harvesters should have recovery points installed close to the front axle under the machine.
• Making a recovery kit with all the required equipment to safely recover your farm machinery. Store it in an appropriate container to keep it in good working condition.
• Regularly inspecting the recovery equipment to ensure it has not become damaged during storage or prior use.
• Developing and practising your recovery procedure. This includes accessing and connecting equipment to recovery points when the farm machinery is not bogged. Accessing recovery points underneath a bogged machine may be difficult.
• Sourcing recovery quotes from appropriate specialist heavy vehicle recovery companies in your area. This will help you understand your options if you become bogged. It may also be cheaper than preparing a recovery kit.
• Ensuring you have an emergency procedure. See 'Working alone on farms' for more information on how to prepare for an emergency.

Recovery kit

When preparing your recovery kit, you should:

• Only include straps, chains, shackles, winches and other recovery equipment rated for the weight and type of work.
• Ensure recovery equipment is long enough to connect the bogged machine to a recovery vehicle, if used.
• Not include steel shackles to join different recovery equipment. For example, if you join snatch straps the shackle could become a projectile.
• Include a damper such as a weighted blanket, rubber mat or old tyre to put on the recovery equipment. This will reduce any recoil or whip if something breaks.
• Include traction aids such as bog mats, tyre chains and tyre deflators.
• Include hand tools such as shovels.
• Not include 4WD recovery equipment. It may not be appropriate for towing larger farm machinery.

Options for safe recovery

1. Before attempting to recover bogged farm machinery, assess the risks involved. Consider if you can:
   • Leave the farm machinery where it is and recover it later. For example, when:
     • conditions are drier
     • there is more natural light
     • you're less tired.
   • Use a specialist heavy vehicle recovery company. This is crucial for 'dead' towing.
2. Once you decide to recover the bogged farm machinery, assess the different methods in line with the situation and risks identified. This includes using:
   • traction aids to drive the farm machinery out
   • a winch to tow the machine out
   • recovery equipment and a tow vehicle to tow the machine out
   • a snatch strap and tow vehicle to jerk the machine out
3. Before you start, ensure that:
   • Only essential people are in the recovery area. Create an exclusion zone.
   • There are ways for the machinery operators to communicate. For example, by phone or UHF radio.
   • You have inspected the equipment in your recovery kit. It should be appropriate for the weight of the machine and distance to the recovery vehicle.

Safety tips

• Only attach to anchor points on vehicles and machinery that are designed for towing.
• Anchor points may only be suitable if you can drive the bogged equipment to help the towing.
• The recovery point on the front of farm machinery may only be strong enough to tow the equipment without any extra load connected.
• Do not go ahead with the recovery if the operation is not going to plan or you are missing necessary recovery equipment. Stop and review before proceeding.

Consider these three scenarios.

Legal duties

Employers and self-employed persons have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. You must:

• Provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of employees and independent contractors. This also includes the employees of independent contractors.
• Provide or maintain plant or systems of work that are safe and without risks to health.
• Ensure the use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances is safe and without risks to health.
• Monitor conditions at a workplace that is under the employer's management and control.
• Provide the necessary information, instruction, training or supervision so employees can do their work in a way that is safe and without risks to health.
• Ensure that people other than employees are not exposed to risks to their health or safety arising from your conduct.

You must do this so far as is reasonably practicable.

Employers must also consult with employees and independent contractors who are, or are likely to be, affected by occupational health and safety matters. You must do this so far as reasonably practicable. This includes when:

• identifying hazards and risks
• making decisions about the controls to address those risks

Consultation must include any health and safety representatives (HSRs), where applicable.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, you must:

• identify all hazards associated with the use of plant at the workplace
• control risks associated with plant in line with the plant hierarchy of control
• ensure the plant is inspected to the extent necessary to ensure that risks associated with its use are monitored

You must do this so far as reasonably practicable.