Worker dies at farm in Great Southern after becoming trapped under trailer, WorkSafe launches investigation

A WorkSafe WA investigation is underway after a farming incident in Gairdner, about 150km east of Albany, where a man died after becoming trapped under a trailer on October 30. Emergency services were called to the farming property after an incident involving a heavy trailer. Upon arrival they found a 69-year-old man was trapped under the trailer weighing several tons and he died from his injuries at the scene. Police, St John WA and Department of Fire and Emergency Services attended the scene. A WorkSafe WA spokesperson confirmed the fatal incident was being investigated. “On October 30, an employee on a farm at Gairdner was working on plant when it collapsed onto him. A WorkSafe investigation is under way,” the statement read. Jerramungup police attended and had assistance of crew from Albany Fire and Rescue Service at the scene. Great Southern police Supt Jon Munday said it appeared the man was working alone when he became trapped and another farm worker concerned about his welfare went to locate the man. Supt Munday said given the location and nature of the incident, DFES — which specialises in heavy lifting — were requested. He said police would prepare a report for the Coroner and assist WorkSafe with its investigations. Following another fatal farming incident last week, WorkSafe WA released a reminder about work safety during harvest. The reminder centred around good risk management procedures in place on farms, particularly during harvest. This financial year eight WA workers have died in work-related incidents and WorkSafe says three of those have been in the agricultural sector. Two workers died last week on farms in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern, and earlier in the financial year a worker died at an agricultural farming site in Jarrahdale. WorkSafe commissioner Sally North said everyone in charge of a business should perform a thorough risk assessment of their workplace. “Agriculture remains one of the highest-risk industries in the State, and farmers are reminded to assess the risks in their workplace and ensure that safe work procedures are in place to minimise those risks” Ms North said. “Harvest is a particularly busy time, and the risks can be magnified by the long working hours involved. “WorkSafe is actively working with the sector to provide advice, guidance and education on workplace safety, as was recommended by the independent inquiry into safety in the agriculture industry in 2023. “However, every farm operator has a critical role to play by ensuring that risks are managed effectively.”