During the winter months, it's important to take into account how the wet and slippery conditions will affect farm tracks and roads. This Safety Alert covers multiple reported incidents where vehicles have lost traction on slippery slopes. These incidents highlight the risks in operating farm vehicles in changing weather conditions, without taking into account the effect of ground conditions on control of vehicles.
Incident 1: Tractor in a cultivated field lost traction, slid approximately 100m down a slope before the operator managed to regain control.
Incident 2: A Hilux operator was watching stock and drifted off a grassed track. He slid 200m, rolling at least once. The area where he was operating was designated restricted access. He was unaware of this restriction.
These incidents happened on routes and paddocks where vehicles and tractors have previously operated safely in ideal ground conditions. But as conditions have changed, the areas have become more slippery and dangerous. The operators didn't fully consider how the change in ground conditions would affect traction and control of their vehicles. These incidents may have been avoided if temporary access restrictions had been put in place, for sloping paddocks and tracks which become unsafe in wet conditions.
