Prioritising Safety on Farms

It’s National Farm Safety Week - a timely reminder for farmers to prioritise safety for themselves, their family and their visitors.

The central theme for 2022 is Recipe for Averting Disaster is focussing on a number of intangible risks and hazards such as fatigue, complacency, the blurred line between the home and work environment, labour shortages and the aging workforce, wellbeing and many other issues that combine to make Australian farms one of the most dangerous work environments.

On average, in Victoria 14 percent of workplace fatalities occur in the agriculture industry while representing only two percent of the state’s workforce. This year seven people have already died as a result of a workplace incident on Victorian farms.

Emma Bolding, an organic beef farmer from Warrnambool and her partner Steve took over the family farm in 2019 and in a bid to improve workplace practices developed an Occupational Health and Safety plan.

“Steve and I both view farm safety as non-negotiable. It’s our responsibility to make sure anyone working or visiting the farm is home safe at the end of every day”

Part of their OHS plan involves regular assessments of machinery, gates and fences and installing adequate infrastructure for weather protection.

Last year, Ms Bolding received a Labor Government Farm Safety Rebate to purchase new cattle crushes, a livestock handling device that safely holds animals in place during examinations or treatments, minimising the risk of injury to both the animal and the handler.

The new equipment is improving safety on the farm, as well as workflow and efficiency.

The $5 million Farm Safety Rebate Scheme is part of the $20 million Smarter, Safer Farms Program.

Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney says it has helped over a thousand farms make permanent safety improvements.

“We’re working with farmers and industry to continue improving farm safety across Victoria and encourage farmers to take a proactive role in assessing and addressing safety concerns on their properties.”

"Farm safety is critically important, and this week is a reminder to farmers to identify risks and make changes so those who work, live or visit farms avoid serious injury.”

The Smarter Safer Farms Program is aimed at improving and increasing awareness Victoria’s on-farm safety, and upskilling farmers to manage and improve their businesses.

For more information about the Victorian Government’s farm safety programs visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/smartersaferfarms