Raising awareness of farm safety for the next generation of farmers

Raising Awareness of Farm Safety for the Next Generation of Farmers

WorkSafe Victoria urges farming families to prioritise safety and learn from elders during National Farm Safety Week. This year's campaign highlights intergenerational practices with "Farm Safety Through the Ages - From 2 - 92."

Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in the state. Now is the time for farmers to access support available to them, improve operations often passed down through generations, and make safety a priority for their businesses.

Agricultural Incident Statistics

In 2021 there have already been four deaths, 24 in the last three years, and one person per day lodges a workers compensation claim as result of a serious agricultural workplace incident. These figures underscore why farm safety week matters so much to rural communities.

Brothers and managing directors of 6500-acre Stonyhurst Pastoral, Tom and Bill Alston, are following in their family's footsteps. The third-generation farmers show how they've made improvements on the farm in a video with WorkSafe, including using drones to muster sheep.

"My advice to anyone on a farm or agricultural setting would be to get in touch with your local WorkSafe team, have a chat and get them out, have a look around and see what you can implement. It would probably surprise you to know the little things you can do to improve the day-to-day safety of yourself or anyone working in that environment," said Tom Alston.

For more information on farm safety, visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/agriculture. Watch the full video with the Alston brothers at worksafe.vic.gov.au/stonyhurst. Read the original article on the WorkSafe Victoria website. Farming operations wanting to build stronger daily practices may also benefit from a safety guide for farmers working on farms in Australia.

Increase of Health and Safety Risks Due to Mouse Plague

As areas of regional and rural NSW are affected by an ongoing mouse plague, there's increased risk to farmers and agricultural workers' health and safety, plus anyone in contact with rodents.

SafeWork NSW is reminding farming communities that information and links to additional resources exist to assist employers and workers manage risks, alongside guidance to help keep workplaces safe while dealing with the mouse plague.

Key Risks to Consider

• Significant exposure to diseases such as leptospirosis
• Hazardous chemicals like zinc phosphide used for rodent control
• Negative impact on workers' wellbeing and mental health

Employers managing chemical exposure risks alongside broader hazards should consider documenting control measures through a digital Job Safety Analysis template to capture potential hazards before work begins.

More information, resources, and emergency crisis support can be found on the SafeWork NSW website. Support services remain available for workers experiencing distress related to plague conditions, and additional support services are listed through state health authorities for those needing further assistance.

Building Long-Term Resources for Farm Safety

Both campaigns reflect a broader push across agriculture to strengthen support systems for farming families, from national safety week initiatives to emergency response resources during plague events. Employers seeking to review transport-related risks ahead of seasonal work may find it useful to read about calls for safer livestock transport methods during National Farm Safety Week.

Ongoing support, updated resources, and practical guidance remain essential tools for agricultural workers navigating evolving workplace hazards, whether these stem from equipment, chemicals, or unexpected events like the mouse plague. Access to reliable resources, paired with genuine support from regulators and industry bodies, gives farming communities the foundation needed to protect health and safety across every generation working the land.