What Happened?
A tape gate was left across the main part of the laneway. A team member was heading to the shed on their two wheeler and did not see the tape gate until the last moment, causing them to brake heavily and fall off their bike. They sustained a knee injury that required extensive rehabilitation.
Why did it happen?
Tape gate visibility was a contributing factor. Neither speed, road conditions nor environmental factors contributed to the accident. There was a 30 minute delay in providing help for the team member. A subsequent infection to the wound delayed their recovery.
How should we respond?
Following the incident, the farm team made the followingimprovements:
- Improve tape gate visibility of farm.
- Review and update farm emergency response plans.
- Ensure injured worker remains connected to the farm.
- Ensure a worker's return to work plan includes appropriate and safe transitional duties.
Key lessons
- Tape gates are difficult to see in certainlights.
- Always take them down when they are not requiredor in use. If they are up, have something visible, such as a cone or orangesafety flag.
- If using tape fencing beside or on a publicroad, check your local council bylaws first and if permitted, ensureappropriate signage is in place.
- Always wear a helmet when using a farm vehicle.Review farm emergency response plans and ensure everyone has a way to call forhelp at all times.
- Check in with rehabilitating workers frequentlyand help bring them back to work as soon as possible with appropriate and safetransitional duties, where possible.
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