Farm safety field days to be held across NSW

By
Monday, 03 April, 2006

WorkCover NSW is running a series of farm safety field days across the state, NSW Minister for Commerce, John Della Bosca announced recently.

"The first Farm Safety Field Day, to be held in Tamworth on 4 May, will showcase practical solutions to farm safety," said Mr Della Bosca.

"The Farm Safety Field Days will focus on rural safety issues, and give local farmers an opportunity to discuss specific problems with representatives from WorkCover and other farming associations," said the Minister.

Programs will include displays and live demonstrations by a range of experts, including safe all-terrain vehicle riding and shearing demonstrations. Also highlighted will be chemical safety, electricity, gates and crushes, child safety and chainsaw safety.

Mr Della Bosca said the NSW Government had scheduled farm safety field days in Tamworth, Bega, Forbes, Wagga, Griffith, Wollongbar, Bourke, Balranald and Narrabri.

"Visitors will be able to inspect farm machinery and equipment that meet occupational health and safety standards, including a silo, auger and fuel tank, as well as machinery specific to regional industries," Mr Della Bosca said.

"The Tamworth Safety Field Day is specifically for local farmers to obtain personalised assistance and information about issues that affect their home and workplace."

WorkCover will also be rolling out its new Safety Bus - a mobile resource centre designed to provide safety solutions across rural NSW.

The farm safety field days are supported by industry, with involvement from NSW Farmers, Farmsafe NSW, NSW Department of Primary Industries, the Australian Workers Union and the Country Women's Association.

Representatives from a number of these organisations will be on site to provide additional information and advice.

"With 17 people killed and over 4,300 major injuries on NSW farms from 2001 - 2004, it is vital that the rural community and industry come together at events like these field days to share their knowledge, experience and problems," said Mr Della Bosca.

For more information call the Rural Safety Hotline on 1300 799 003 or visit www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

WorkCover Farm Safety Field Days