Winery safety in the spotlight

EDUCATION, communication and constant vigilance are the keys to ensuring our wineries are a safe working environment, according to a local vigneron.

Deputy state coroner, Hugh Dillon, has recommended that a consideration be given to a campaign reminding vineyard owners of the industry’s hazards. That recommendation came as he was handing down his findings into the deaths of two men at the Draytons Winery in 2008.

David, Lee and James Bell run the Dindima Winery on the Cargo Road near Mount Canobolas.

David Bell believes vineyard owners are generally vigilant but recent experiences have shown the industry can have its hazards.

He said wineries contain heavy equipment like tractors and fork lifts but there are also chemicals used in preserving wines and cleaning can present dangers.

The Draytons explosion that claimed the lives of the two men was caused by the ignition of ethanol and the lack of warning about flammable vapours.

Mr Bell believes education, keeping the lines of communication open and constant vigilance are the keys to avoiding work place accidents on vineyards.

“If you don’t know those things you don’t know what to avoid,” he said.

Mr Bell said he conducts constant mental safety audits and having a clear understanding of potential dangers is important.

Wineries are open to the general public and children and Mr Bell said that meant more potential dangers.

He said clearly delineating restricted areas, sign posting and talking to people about potential dangers are the keys to avoiding nasty accidents.

Mr Bell runs a smaller family vineyard and said avoiding accidents is particularly important for that type of operation.

“Certainly we don’t want any of our family getting hurt.”