Agricultural is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, due to the variability of the work, and the power of the machinery used. Demonstrated by the high number of deaths due to tractors, quid bikes and other machinery. Mobile plant, any plant with that is provided with some form of self-propulsion under the direct control of an operator and typically not used on a public road, continue to injure people, however little is known about how to prevent incidents related to mobile plant.

This project aimed to explored safety behaviours around mobile plant on farms; identified changes in attitudes, behaviours, practices and systems to enhance safety’ and identified options for engaging farmers.

This program of research involved a scoping review, interviews and a CATI survey of farmers.

From the scoping review of 36 papers: tractors were the most common type of mobile plant/machinery investigated (27, 75.0%), followed by augers (5, 13.9%). Cross-sectional quantitative research (including analysis of archival survey and incident data) was the most common study type (24, 58.4%), followed by qualitative descriptive studies that involved interviews and/or focus groups (10, 24.4%). It identified that there are considerable gaps in knowledge regarding the risks of mobile plant and associated tools.

From the interviews of 54 stakeholders and the 185 survey responses: The synthesis of findings are encompassed by three themes: 1) Individual factors that drive behaviour are complex and should be considered together rather than in isolation; 2) The importance of a systematic and lifecycle approach to mobile plant safety management; and 3) Mobile plant operating behaviours are shaped by individual, organisational, and societal factors – a systems view is most appropriate.

This research made some headway into resolving the gaps identified, specifically, by generating a list of evidenced mobile plant behaviours and highlighting that factors beyond work and individual levels that shape frontline behaviours when using mobile plant.

A nuanced approach to mobile plant safety is needed that considers how individual behaviours can be influenced through: targeting specific types of beliefs about safety; addresses various enablers and barriers; and triggers or cues in the work environment.