Rural plant code of practice under review
The Rural plant Code of Practice 2024 (PDF, 1.73 MB) commences on 23 September 2024. This code incorporates tractor safety content. On 23 September 2024, the Rural plant code of practice 2004 and the Safe design and operation of tractors code of practice 2005 will be revoked.
The Rural Plant Code of Practice 2004 is under review and will consider what changes are needed to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose and supports the agriculture industry to meet legislative obligations and ensure worker safety.
Farm machinery has the potential to kill and maim; the risk of fatalities and incidents in rural workplaces is real. In the past five years there have been 67 work-related fatalities in the agricultural, forestry and fishing industry in Queensland. This includes 30 (45%) involving a vehicle or some sort of mobile plant, eight of these involving a quad bike (12%).
While not limited to the below key issues, the review will consider updates to the code in order to address:
- tractor roll over protection
- quad bikes and side by side-by-side vehicles
- electrical risks
- isolation and fatigue
- technological advancements.
Public consultation will commence shortly, with an opportunity to provide written submissions. Further information will be published shortly on the Queensland Government’s Get Involved website.