QLD using calendar competition to promote farm safety

QLD Using Calendar Competition to Promote Farm Safety

Queensland primary school students are being encouraged to enter the annual farm safety calendar competition. This initiative aims to raise awareness among students of common hazards found on Queensland farms.

Quick summary: Queensland is using its farm safety calendar competition to teach children about agricultural risk while building a safety-conscious mindset that carries into their communities and future workplaces.

Why the Competition Matters

Head of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Tony James, confirmed entries to the competition are now open. According to Mr James, twelve winning entries will feature in the 2023 calendar, displayed in homes and workplaces across the state throughout the year as a reminder to work and play safely on farms.

"As always, youngsters will use their artistic flair to illustrate important safety messages about electricity, animals, tractors and machinery, quad bikes, water, or general health and wellbeing," Mr James said.

Farm Industry Risk Highlighted by the Competition

Statistics show that although the agriculture industry employs around three percent of Queensland's workers, it tragically accounts for around a third of workplace deaths in the state. This stark figure underscores why promoting farm safety among younger generations remains critical to reducing risk across the industry.

Farm work carries unique hazards compared with many other industries, since tasks often involve heavy machinery, livestock, and remote locations where help may not arrive quickly. Children raised in farming communities frequently observe or take part in daily farm work, making early safety education a genuine risk-reduction strategy rather than a token gesture.

How the Calendar Competition Helps Promote Safety

This calendar competition helps promote practical safety habits by turning abstract risk concepts into memorable, visual reminders that families see every day. Entries submitted by students often reflect real experiences from farm life, giving the messaging genuine authenticity within rural communities.

• Encourages students to think critically about farm hazards and health risks
• Builds long-term safety habits that carry into adult work environments
• Provides free educational resources for schools and families
• Reinforces the importance of safe practices around machinery, water, and animals

Supporting Safer Farm Workplaces

Businesses operating within the agriculture industry can strengthen their own workplace health protocols alongside community initiatives like this competition. Employers seeking practical documentation may find value in resources such as an Electrical Safety Policy, an Electrical Safety Checklist, or general Workplace Safety Rules to help manage risk across farm operations.

Adopting structured Safety Software can also support farm businesses in tracking hazards, incidents, and health outcomes more effectively, complementing the awareness raised through community-driven programs like this one.

More Farm Safety News

For further news on this initiative, including previous farm safety calendar competition winners and updates from WorkSafe Queensland's farm safety calendar competition, visit the WorkSafe Queensland website for official news, resources, and health guidance relevant to the agriculture industry.

If your organisation needs assistance implementing safety documentation across farm sites, our support team can help you find the right resources for your industry.