Investigations continue into Vic quad bike farmer death

A quad bike accident has led to the death of a farmer near Romsey, in Victoria.

The man who was in his late 60s died after his quad bike overturned on a farm at Hesket.

He is thought to have been herding sheep in a laneway when the incident occurred.

WorkSafe Victoria attended the scene and its investigations are continuing.

The fatality brings the number of Victorian workplace deaths to 19 for this year, compared to 24 for the same period last year.

Ten of the deaths so far this year have occurred on farms.

WorkSafe Director of Operations and Emergency Management Phil Grimson said agriculture was a high-risk industry, so it was vital that farmers paid attention to safety.

“One of many reasons farmers are at risk is because they often work alone, and if no-one knows where they are on the property or what they are doing, no-one can get help if something goes wrong,” Grimson said.

“While working alone is unavoidable at times, we urge farmers to plan their day so that they can let people know what they will be doing and where. And, just as importantly, stay in touch throughout the day.”

Farmers and other agricultural workers make up just 3% of the Victorian workforce but on average comprise 30% of workplace fatalities every year.

Presently, agriculture is accounting for more than 50% of 2017 workplace fatalities.

“That’s why it is critical that farmers take a few moments before the day gets underway to think about how to do each and every job safely,” Grimson said.