Near accidents with agricultural vehicles, machinery and equipment in Austria in the year 2013

Abstract

Near accidents are in the lowest stage of the accident pyramid. A near accident is defined as an unplanned event, which includes a potential accident risk, but does not bring any injury or property damage with it. The consideration of near accident plays a very significant role in accident prevention. Near accident research provides an acceptable tool to determine safety deficiencies, potential risks and hidden dangers in various work areas early enough to avoid actual accidents. The aim of the study was to identify safety weaknesses of agricultural and forestry vehicles, machinery and equipment which almost led to an accident with workers in agriculture and forestry in Austria. Also to detect weaknesses and deficits in the design to derive improvements in the safety design of machines and the associated prevention measures. The results showed that farm managers (mostly men), from 41 to 60 years with agricultural and non-agricultural training were most frequently affected by near accidents on livestock sideline farm with a farm size of 10 to 50 hectares. Machine-specific working tools of hand-held and self-propelled machinery during direct working process, influenced by unfavorable environmental conditions (soil), physical adverse factors (hurry & stress) and operating errors were most frequently involved in near accidents. The people surveyed mentioned as preventive measures to avoid the near accident situation increased training in the operation, followed by mechanical adaptations, safety equipment when buying new machines, training in the safety design of machines as well as easy-to-understand and written short operating instructions (manuals).