WorkSafe is reminding farmers to make sure all machinery guards are in place and regularly checked after a farm worker suffered life-changing injuries when he became entangled in an unguarded power take-off (PTO) shaft on a Wairarapa dairy farm.
The worker lost an arm and suffered multiple serious injuries after his clothing was caught in the unguarded PTO shaft while operating a tractor connected to a feed mixer in January 2025.
Shady Farming Limited pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and was convicted and fined an end total of $60,000 and ordered to pay reparation of approximately $96,000.
PTO shafts are one of the most hazardous parts of farm machinery. They rotate at high speed and when unguarded, can catch loose clothing in an instant, causing serious injuries or death.
WorkSafe's Central Region Manager, Nigel Formosa, says the incident highlights why guarding machinery must be treated as a critical safety control.
"Farmers know PTOs are dangerous, yet we continue to see workers seriously injured by machinery that isn't properly guarded.
"Guards are the last line of defence between a worker and a rotating shaft. If a guard is missing or damaged, the consequences can be devastating."
The farm's risk register recognised the high risk of entanglement with machinery and its safety management system required PTO shafts to always be guarded - no exceptions.
WorkSafe's investigation found that the tractor and feed mixer were being operated without any guarding in place on the PTO shaft. Compliance with an adequate pre-start check and maintenance process was not effectively monitored. That process should have included checking guards were present and addressing any wear or damage by replacing damaged guards
"This incident shows that having rules on paper is not enough. Farmers need systems that ensure guards are actually present, in good condition, and checked before machinery is used," says Nigel Formosa.
Regular inspections are particularly important because PTO guards can become damaged through normal farm operations and may need replacing.
WorkSafe is encouraging farmers to:
- check PTO shafts and other moving machinery parts are fully guarded
- inspect guards regularly for wear, damage, or missing components
- repair or replace damaged guards immediately
- include guarding checks in documented pre-start inspections
- ensure workers are trained to identify and report damaged or missing guards
- keep well clear of PTO shafts and disengage machinery before approaching it.
Agriculture remains one of New Zealand's highest-risk industries, and machinery-related incidents continue to cause serious harm.
"No job on the farm is so urgent that it justifies taking risks around moving machinery. A few minutes spent checking guards can prevent injuries that affect workers and their families for the rest of their lives," says Nigel Formosa.
