Another palm to forehead (what are you thinking?) moment from the agricultural industry. This time a 23-year-old paid the ultimate price for insane rostering and extreme fatigue. Read Worksafe warning after tractor driver worked almost 200 hours in two weeks before crash death for full details. Then think about what it would be like to meet a family from Wales because they were taking their dead son home and ask if the crop was worth it?
What happened?
- At 2.45am Joshua David Park (23) died when the tractor he was driving crashed in the early hours of the morning
- He was assisting with harvesting operations on a farm in Pukekawa.
- He was not wearing a seatbelt
- He had logged a 17.5-hour day before departing the farm, taking a tractor home in preparation for the next day’s work. He had worked a total of 197.25 hours in the two weeks
Side Bar:
The company had a health and safety document prepared for them in January 2016. Fatigue was identified as a high rating hazard and there were steps for monitoring/ managing it i.e. monitoring of work hours and break times. WorkSafe spokesman Simon Humphries said, “This document had not been reviewed or implemented, the warning was there and the company did nothing about it.”
What Caused the Incident? FATIGUE
- Fatigue was identified as the most likely cause of the accident.
- Wearing a seatbelt may have minimised the injuries
What did the courts say?
Agricultural Contractor Michael Vining Contracting Limited was charged in relation to Park’s death and Director Michael Vining pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of workers.
It was the first sentencing for fatigue-related failings under the HSAW 2015, Judge Denise Saunders issued:
Fine $10,000 and ordered it to pay
Reparation of $80,000.
What can you do about it?
Acknowledge that fatigue kills
WHAT DOES SLEEP DEPRIVATION LOOK LIKE?
- Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids
- Daydreaming; wandering/disconnected thoughts
- Trouble remembering the last few km’s driven; missing route turn off or traffic signs
- Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
- Trouble keeping your head up
- Drifting from the line of travel, tailgating, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip on roads
- Feeling restless and irritable
ACC FATIGUE / DRIVING/ SCHEDULING STUFF
- Although there is no “official” regulation or legislation around this ACC states the following:
- recommending staff to have 10 hours’ minimum continuous rest and 11 hours’ maximum driving time every 24 hours
- requiring non-commercial drivers to take 10-minute breaks every 2 hours of driving.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Always “eyeball” your workers at the start of their shift
- If necessary, have someone double check work outputs
- Have a clear written policy around absenteeism and sick leave
WORKSAFE RESOURCES
Fatigue Videos – (great toolbox resources)
As always let me know if what you have done to prevent fatigue in your workplace so I can share them with the Be Safe Now! community.
Have a safe and productive week.
SB