WorkCover NSW supports farm safety

WorkCover NSW is using National Farm Safety Week to urge all NSW farmers to think about work health and safety on their farms.

New national work health and safety laws started in NSW on 1 January 2012, with farmers and farm managers responsible for the health and safety of workers and other people who visit a farm such as customers, visitors or tradespeople. General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division John Watson said WorkCover is continuing to support the farming industry to adjust to the new arrangements.

“Farm safety continues to be a priority for WorkCover NSW after six fatalities and 1766 injuries in the agriculture industry during 2010/11 that cost the WorkCover Scheme more than $20.1 million,” Watson said.

“The most common injuries involved mobile plant and vehicles including tractors, quad bikes and machinery as well as sprains and strains while handling animals, and being hit by, and falling from, animals.

“With many farm roles involving work in remote areas or in isolation away from emergency assistance and first aid, improving safety for farm workers is vital.”

As part of WorkCover’s Focus on Industry Program, the 10 industry sectors with the highest risks and worst safety performance are receiving intensive support to improve. Watson said, in the agriculture sector, sheep and beef cattle farming has been made a priority after being identified as one of the state’s highest-risk industries.

“Farmers and farm workers deal with work health and safety risks on a daily basis and are well placed to contribute to the development of work health and safety solutions,” Watson said.

“Through our Sheep and Beef Cattle Farming Program we will be working closely with the farming industry to develop practical and sustainable ways to improve safety on farms as well as identifying ways to get injured workers safely back to work sooner.”

WorkCover NSW has developed the ‘15 Minute Farm Safety Checklist’ and Watson encourages all NSW farmers to take time out this week to think about work health and safety on their farms.

“Every farm-related fatality and injury has a devastating impact on families, communities and the farming industry and the safety checklist helps farmers quickly identify potential problems,” he said.

“It includes general farm safety as well as specific risks such as tractors and equipment, chemicals, silos and field bins.”

Farmers and farm workers can download a range of guidance materials on the new laws, including fact sheets, tools and Frequently Asked Questions as well as the 15 Minute Farm Safety Checklist. Visit the WorkCover NSW website or call 13 10 50 for further information.

Related: Safety campaign to target Victoria’s farms