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UPDATED: Cotton-harvest accident hospitalises man

Emma Alsop, April 22, 2022

Cotton picking is ramping up with industry bodies calling on growers to make workplace health and safety a top priority. Photo: Emma Ayliffe

A MAN who sustained serious leg injuries after he became trapped in the feed-roll of a cotton harvester has been discharged from Orange Hospital.

Three Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW) trucks as well as two ambulance cars and a helicopter attended the scene at a property north of Walgett last Thursday afternoon.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman said removing the 19-year-old was a complex process and took more than two hours.

He was stabilised at the scene and flown to Orange Hospital with leg injuries, where he remains in a stable condition.

The incident highlights the importance of farm safety as the cotton industry heads into a near-record harvest.

Cotton Australia general manager Michael Murray said the Australian cotton industry placed the utmost importance on workplace health and safety.

“On-farm accidents are distressing for those involved, and for all farmers, as the work they do carries an inherent risk,” Mr Murray said.

“By staying alert to risks and following WHS best practice, we can collectively ensure our farms are as safe as possible.”

He said Cotton Australia had a range of resources designed to ensure growers were following best practice while working on-farm.

“We strongly encourage all our growers to consult the workplace health and safety module of our best practices program, myBMP, to ensure their farm is operating at the highest level of safety, and to take every possible step to mitigate accidents from occurring.

“A wide range of WHS resources are available for growers on the myBMP website.”

 

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