Death of an Australian harvester operator a mysteryFriday 4 Apr 2014 On Monday last week at 3.20pm a highly experienced mechanical harvester operator was crushed (bear hugged) inside a harvesting head and died instantly. Investigators are mystified why a 55 year old highly experienced mechanical harvester operator with 36 years experience with mechanical machinery in the logging industry was inside the harvesting head, knives open and the main engine powered up.This operator was fully reassessed by an approved training organisation back in September last year for harvester and forwarder. At this stage the investigation is not complete, however human error may have been a contributing factor. Merv Johns an Independent Safety & Health Consultant - Forest Industry from Nelson, NZ who has been carrying an independent investigation for the logging company in Australia for the last 6 days, rates it right up in the top category of the worst fatal accidents that he has investigated over 35 years and he sends a strong warning to all harvester/processor operators in both NZ and Australia. Serious warning to all NZ and Australian harvester/processor operators - Never go alongside or inside a harvesting/processing head with knives open while it is live - power on and motor running Safety first at all times around machinery |
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