Product Overview

Summary: This Farm Vehicle Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for operating tractors, utes, ATVs, side-by-sides and other farm vehicles safely across Australian agricultural workplaces. It helps farming businesses control common vehicle-related risks, meet WHS obligations, and protect workers, contractors and family members on and around mobile plant.

Farm vehicles are one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatalities in Australian agriculture, with rollovers, run-overs and collisions occurring in paddocks, laneways and farmyards every year. This Farm Vehicle Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, easy-to-follow framework for the safe use of tractors, utilities, ATVs, side-by-sides, trucks and other mobile plant used on farms. It guides workers from pre-start checks and route planning through to safe operation, passenger management, loading and towing, and shut-down procedures, all tailored to the unique conditions of Australian rural properties.

The procedure is designed to help farming businesses turn WHS obligations into day‑to‑day safe work practices. It addresses common issues such as untrained operators, poor maintenance, unsafe loads, children in or around vehicles, and driving on mixed terrain and public roads. By implementing this SOP, you create a consistent standard across your operation, support induction and refresher training, and provide documented evidence of your safety systems for regulators, insurers and supply chain partners. This document is a practical tool to reduce incidents, protect people, and keep your farm vehicles working safely and efficiently all year round.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of rollovers, run-overs and collisions involving farm vehicles across paddocks, yards and access roads.
• Ensure operators follow consistent pre-start, operating and shut-down checks to identify defects before they lead to incidents.
• Support compliance with Australian WHS legislation and guidance on mobile plant and farm vehicle safety.
• Improve training, inductions and supervision by providing clear, step-by-step instructions for new and seasonal workers.
• Demonstrate a proactive, documented approach to managing farm vehicle risks to regulators, auditors and insurers.

Who is this for?

• Farm Owners and Principals
• Farm Managers
• Station Managers
• Farm Hands and Machinery Operators
• Agricultural Contractors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Safety Representatives
• Operations Managers in Agribusiness
• Transport and Logistics Coordinators on Farms
• Family Members Working on Farms

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle rollovers on slopes, uneven ground and irrigation channels
• Run-over incidents involving pedestrians, children and bystanders
• Collisions with other vehicles, plant, livestock or fixed objects
• Loss of control due to excessive speed or inappropriate gear selection
• Mechanical failure from poor maintenance or missed pre-start checks
• Falls while mounting or dismounting vehicles
• Crushing or entanglement with attachments, PTOs and implements
• Load shift, load loss and trailer instability during towing
• Fatigue-related incidents during long hours of operation
• Exposure to dust, noise, vibration and adverse weather conditions

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Farm Vehicles Covered
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Farm Policies
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Farm Vehicle Use
• 6.0 Pre-start Inspections and Maintenance Requirements
• 7.0 Safe Operating Procedures – Tractors
• 8.0 Safe Operating Procedures – Utilities, ATVs and Side-by-Sides
• 9.0 Safe Operating Procedures – Trucks and Other Farm Vehicles
• 10.0 Passenger, Child and Bystander Management
• 11.0 Loading, Securing Loads and Towing Trailers or Implements
• 12.0 Driving on Slopes, Rough Terrain and Public Roads
• 13.0 Fatigue Management and Environmental Conditions
• 14.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 15.0 Traffic Management on Farm – Routes, Speed Limits and Exclusion Zones
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures, Incident Response and Reporting
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 18.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Review of the SOP
• 19.0 Recordkeeping and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory regulations)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Guide to managing risks in farming
• Safe Work Australia – General guide for workplace traffic management
• AS/NZS 4024.1: Safety of machinery – General principles
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for mobile plant with electrical components)
• Agricultural industry guidance from state WHS regulators (e.g. SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland) on farm vehicle and quad bike safety