Turf Queensland continues to watch the water restrictions applying in the Townsville area. Pumping water from the Burdekin at this time is filling a small gap. We all hope that the wet season is kind to our industry members and partners in the Townsville area.

Guaranteeing Townsville‘s water supply continues to take priority in the Townsville City Budget 2017/18 with funding for the purchase and pumping of water from the Burdekin.

The Townsville City Council has allocated $5.5 million for the purchase and pumping of 20,000 Mega litres of water, the equivalent of five months of continual supply.

Importantly Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the recent funding guarantees from both the Queensland Government and LNP Opposition to fully fund the infrastructure to solve Townsville’s water security solution would save a huge additional capital cost.

“The funding guarantee takes a huge pressure off council in terms of potential capital costs and vindicates the work we have done through the Water Taskforce to make water security a priority for government,” Cr Hill said.

“That means our big focus in the Budget is on making sure the city has a guaranteed water to take us into next year should the drought continue.

“The budget will fund five months of pumping that combined with reserves in the dams and Level 3 water restrictions, will secure the city’s water supply well into next year even without rain. “While we were only required to pump for around three months this year, we’re making sure we have a plan in place that covers every contingency for our community.

“Pumping water to Townsville comes at a substantial cost, but the savings and efficiencies we are achieving right across council means we are able to absorb those costs without having to pass them on to ratepayers. Dam levels of 15% will trigger pumping action.

“We will also be working with the community on a range of water conservation measures and incentives to make our water stretch further.

In December 2017, a worker on a Tamborine Mountain avocado farm was killed when a single seat ride on mower being driven by another worker rolled over on a steep slope and crushed her.

A few weeks before, a worker was killed when the tractor he was driving went over the edge of a steep embankment on a banana farm in North Queensland. He was attempting a U-turn on a road when it appears he drove over the embankment and was thrown or jumped from the tractor. Although there were no witnesses, the injuries he sustained indicate the tractor rolled over him.

Environmental conditions may have contributed to the incident as it had been raining in the preceding days which left the road muddy and boggy. The tractor was fitted with a roll over protective system (ROPS) but was not fitted with a seatbelt.

Both investigations are continuing.

Preventing a similar incident

Tractors and other items of agricultural mobile plant are safe when operated properly, however, like any equipment, they become dangerous if used incorrectly. Before operating them, the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure:

• the vehicle selected is the right vehicle for the task
• weather and ground conditions have been assessed
• a ROPS that complies with AS/NZ1636.1-1996 is fitted to tractors in accordance with WHS Regulation s216 Roll-over protection on tractors
• a seat belt is worn where fitted
• the manufacturer’s operating instructions have been read and are followed. For older items of mobile plant where operating instructions are not available, operational procedures and instructions for use should be developed by a competent person.

When operating mobile plant:

• ensure it is driven to suit the environmental conditions and slow enough to retain control in unexpected circumstances
• reduce speed before turning or applying brakes
• use as wide a wheel track as possible when working on hillsides and sloping ground
• descend slopes cautiously, keeping the tractor in low gear to allow motor compression to act as a brake. Watch out for ditches, embankments, and depressions – unstable banks can cause overturns
• do not park on a steep slope
• ensure the park brake is on and operating effectively before dismounting
• if towing a trailer, ensure the load is evenly balanced, well secured and you operate at a lower speed

Statistics

Since 2012, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has issued 60 improvement and 35 prohibition notices for risks associated with guarding, roll-over protection, falling objects protection, maintenance and safe plant. There have been 20 workers’ compensation claims accepted for injuries caused by tractors rolling over or hitting people in agriculture, construction and other industries.

Prosecutions and compliance

In 2014, a company was fined $70,000 after a worker was killed while performing scrub pulling using two tractors connected by a chain. One of the tractors had mechanical problems and stopped. The worker got off the tractor to investigate but the second tractor continued on, pulling the first tractor over the worker. There was no communication system in place between the tractors.

Also in 2014, a company was fined $35,000 after a worker sustained fractured ribs and internal injuries when the tractor he was operating failed to navigate a bend in a farm road and drove over an embankment. He was not wearing the fitted seatbelt and was thrown out and run over by the tractor.

More information

Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2013 (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Fact sheet: Tractor safety precautions
WHSQ Agriculture: Machinery and Equipment

In November 2017, a worker was killed when a forklift fell from the loading ramps of a flatbed trailer while it was being unloaded, crushing him.

At this stage, it appears the ramps weren’t attached, pinned or tethered in any way to the trailer. They shifted while the forklift was being loaded, causing it to tip over and throwing the worker outside of the rollover protection. No seatbelt was fitted to the forklift. Investigations are continuing.

Preventing a similar incident

Mobile plant is often required to be moved from one worksite to another or to a workshop for repairs or general maintenance and servicing. This usually requires the plant to be loaded onto a truck or trailer, which introduces the risk of the plant falling while being loaded or unloaded.

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must assess and control the risks associated with loading and unloading mobile plant, ensuring:

• the truck/trailer is securely parked on level ground
• ramps are secured to the trailer by way of pins or other positive locking mechanism as supplied or recommended by the manufacturer
• the ramps used are load rated and suitable for the plant being loaded/unloaded
• ramps are lined up with the wheels or tracks of the plant being loaded/unloaded
• ramps are in good condition without any bends or cracks before use
• seatbelts, where fitted, are worn whilst the plant is loaded/unloaded
• adequate exclusion zones are in place to prevent other workers being hit by the plant if it falls off the ramps.

Consideration should also be given to the condition of plant prior to loading/unloading. Where it has been determined that the plant is not safe to drive on or off a truck/trailer, alternative methods of transport should be used such as a tilt bed truck with winch attachment.

Statistics

Since 2012, 679 workers’ compensation claims have been accepted for injuries caused by falling objects or moving objects, being trapped by moving or stationary objects, or vehicle accidents or rollovers associated with forklifts. Of these claims, approximately 30 per cent were from the manufacturing industry, 18 per cent from the transport, postal and warehousing industry, and 15 per cent from the wholesale trade industry.

During this period, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland was notified of 773 incidents involving forklifts. Of these, 90 involved forklift rollovers, workers being hit by forklifts or the load being carried or moved.

Ten workers have died after being hit or crushed by forklifts, three of which involved either the PCBU or their immediate family and no legal action was taken.

Prosecutions and compliance

There are currently three fatal incidents involving forklifts that are either under investigation or are being considered with a view to prosecute. All three occurred as a result of either being crushed by a forklift, or being hit by a load falling from a forklift.

In 2014, a company was fined $35,000 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell from a forklift being loaded onto a trailer. He sustained a fractured pelvis, vertebrae damage, soft tissue and neurological injuries after welding on the modified plant failed, causing him to fall from the cabin of the forklift onto the roadway.

More information

Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2013 (PDF, 1.1 MB)
WHSQ Fact Sheet: Securing loading ramps for mobile plant
WHSQ film: Loading and Unloading Mobile Plant

RWUE 1st Oct 17

Case Study Farm 4 Cairns Final Jul2017

Case study Farm 5 Townsville Final Jul2017

Case Study Farm 6 Mackay Final Jul2017

a) The consideration of site and use characteristics

b) Turf installation, monitoring and maintenance

c) Contract sign offs related to turf installation by contractors

Draft for turf of a form of erosion control

The debate and conversation on Artificial Turf continues. Attach is a link that you will find interesting.

Feel free to use this as you see fit.

http://theconversation.com/why-artificial-turf-may-truly-be-bad-for-kids-72044

CHEERS

Jim Vaughan. TURF QUEENSLAND

MOB: 0407131025/Email: jim@qtpa.com.au / www.qtpa.com.au 

Please find attached the latest Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone Map effective the 1^st July 2016.

I’m sure you are all very much aware of the 3 x Fire Ant by a Security Zones 1-2-3, if not this is a good chance to refresh your turf farms Biosecurity measures.

Fire_Ant_Biosecurity_Zone_Map_1_July_2016

From 1 July 2016, new Biosecurity legislation brings important changes to how we manage the eradication of fire ants in Australia.

Biosecurity Queensland’s National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program Director, Geoff Kent said the Biosecurity Act 2014 provided a more consistent and modern approach that will greatly improve Queensland’s response capabilities.

Under the Act, all Queenslanders have a legal obligation to manage risks and threats under their control.

“In the case of fire ants, this responsibility means correctly moving and storing materials that can spread fire ants, and becoming familiar with the new fire ant Biosecurity zones now in place.

“We’ve had enormous support from the community with the Program’s efforts to eradicate fire ants, and we encourage them to continue to play the essential role of being our eyes on the ground under the new legislation.”

Management techniques for fire ant carriers such as soil, mulch, animal manure, baled hay or straw, potted plants and turf are also outlined in the new Biosecurity Regulation 2016. These techniques include the correct storage and/or treatment procedures before moving fire ant carrier materials, and ensuring you have the correct permit for movement within the Biosecurity zones.

Specific provisions are not provided for every situation and there is flexibility for individuals and organisations to find the best ways of managing risks.

For more information about the fire ant Biosecurity zones and related movement controls, procedures when moving or storing fire ant carriers, and a map of the new fire ant Biosecurity zones, contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au/fireants.

Turf Queensland attended the release of the 2016 healthy waterways report card for the southern area in Tambourine which covered the total of Southeast Queensland and has now been released. Find out the conditions and benefits of your local waterways now by clicking on the links below.

NB: It was interesting that this organisation has promoted the fact it has done well with all catchments improving, but then on the other hand also advised that the rainfall being down 70% assisted with the lack of run-off improving the various creeks and rivers and catchments.

Generally they advise that the main problem and source of sediment/nutrient pollution is from:

• Urban Catchments through exposed areas such as roads, construction sites and newly cleared areas.
• Rural Catchments through channel erosion, including stream bank and gully, particularly in areas with less riparian vegetation and those with highly erosive soils

Obviously this will play into the hands of the turf producer/supplier as natural turfgrass is a proven erosion control product that should be backed up by the Australian erosion control standards when they are completed shortly.