Farmers work in the elements. With large animals. With chemicals. With heavy machinery. At heights. In confined spaces. With heavy loads. Alone. Sometimes Fatigued. And in isolation.
We have the right information to support your unique farming workplace to become safer.
It is common practice for subcontractors to come onto farms to help out at different times of the year. Whether it be a shearer, a contractor helping out at harvest, or a delivery driver, it’s often someone you’ve never met before, or who’s never been to your farm before. New people coming onto your farm present risks, so to minimise or eliminate these, it is important to have procedures and policies in place.
Farming can be very stressful at times. Extremely climatic events, market fluctuations, labor shortage and natural disaster can all contribute to stress. Social isolation and working long hours can make this hard to cope with. Use this guide to help you through these difficult times.
Confined spaces can be very dangerous. More than any other area of safety on dairy farms, confined spaces require the owner or person conducting the business to comply with legal regulations.
Sorting and grading goods on conveyors saves time and money and helps to keep the quality high. But it comes with the risk of serious injury.
Operating side by sides can pose a number of risks to drivers and passengers.
When a side by side overturns, there is the risk of being killed if thrown from or crushed by the vehicle. People can also be thrown around inside the cabin or hit by loose objects, and receive serious or even fatal injuries.
A chainsaw comes in handy on the farm but it also comes with risks.
It is essential those operating it are fully trained and capable of using it, and that the correct personal protective equipment is worn, to avoid serious illness or even death.
Sexual harassment is a workplace hazard as it can result in psychological and physical harm of the victim. Employees should feel safe coming to work, whether that be at an office space or on a farm, knowing that they can do their job without the threat of being harassed by a coworker or manager. Farmers should ensure all staff are aware that sexual harassment is against the law, and not tolerated in their workplaces.
Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers have prepared a checklist to help primary producers assess the security of their properties.
Farms can often become victims of crime given the high-value assets stored on them, and that they are sometimes accessible to the general public. Farmers should be conscious of how vulnerable they are to crime and do everything they can to keep their properties secure. Farm security can be time consuming, but in the long run, it can save you time, energy and money.
Archies Creek farmer Ric Oldham says there is absolutely no way he would let his grandchildren do some of the things he used to do when he was a kid growing up on a farm.