Farmsafe Australia Promotes Safety Awareness During National Farm Safety Week
Farmsafe Australia is calling upon farm businesses to prioritize safety as a personal responsibility during the annual National Farm Safety Week, taking place from July 14-20. The “In Safe Hands” campaign aims to redefine safety in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of protecting farmers, farming families, and farm workers through everyday actions that contribute to a safer farm environment.
The launch of the campaign coincides with the release of the 2024 Safer Farms Report, which has highlighted concerning statistics regarding on-farm deaths during the first half of 2024. Despite a significant 44% decrease in on-farm fatalities in 2023, the first six months of 2024 have seen a tragic reversal with 30 reported deaths, just two fewer than the total figure for the entire previous year. Victoria reported the highest number of fatalities, followed by Queensland and New South Wales.
Farmsafe Australia chair Felicity Richards expressed concern over the rise in fatalities, emphasizing the ongoing need to build safer cultures across the agricultural workforce. Key risk areas identified include incidents involving heavy machinery, large animals, and exposure to severe weather events. The report also noted an increase in farm property damage claims due to natural peril events.
As part of the safety initiative, Queensland farmer Jamie Grant hosted the local launch of National Farm Safety Week, underscoring the importance of comprehensive training in farm safety practices. Meanwhile, NSW Farmers is conducting workshops across regional centers to educate farmers on practical safety measures and ensure compliance with workplace health and safety requirements.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) have also responded to the 2024 Safer Farms Report, highlighting the need for safer transport practices in the livestock supply chain. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto emphasized the shared responsibility in preventing crashes involving livestock, stressing the importance of proper heavy-vehicle access and safe on-farm infrastructure.
