The VFF Grains Group is urging farmers to complete a survey on telehandler use in agriculture.The VFF Grains Group has worked with WorkSafe and the Telescopic Handlers Association of Australia to develop the survey to inform future licensing requirements.“Telehandlers have become an increasingly popular method of safely moving hay on Victorian farms, however regulation has not kept up with modern farming practices,” VFF Grains Group president Ash Fraser said.While about 77 per cent of telehandlers are now sold to the agriculture sector, training is still largely targeted at the construction industry.Under current laws, Victoria is one of only two states in Australia to require a crane licence to operate a telehandler with a capacity of three tonnes or more with forks.
As of January 2020, farmers will also be required to attain a dogging licence.“The current licensing regime is expensive, time consuming and does little to specifically improve capability around the use of telehandlers on farms,” Mr Fraser said.
“We need fit-for-purpose training that assists farmers to safely and efficiently use telehandlers in an agricultural setting.”The survey can be found at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/telehandlers_in_ag